Benjamin Franklin’s Papers: A Treasure Trove of American History
Explore the Writings of a Founding Father
On this day in 1706, Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s most remarkable founding fathers, was born. Franklin left behind a vast collection of writings that offer a fascinating glimpse into his life and times.
The Franklin Papers, housed at Yale University, include over 4,500 documents, letters, and notes that Franklin wrote or received. These papers cover a wide range of topics, from his scientific experiments to his political activities.
The Franklin Papers were founded in 1954 by Yale University, and the school has kept the 47 volumes since. In 2006, the papers were put online for anybody to browse.
What’s Included in the Franklin Papers?
The Franklin Papers include a wide variety of documents, including:
- Letters to and from Franklin’s friends, family, and colleagues
- Scientific notebooks
- Political speeches and writings
- Financial records
- Personal diaries
The collection also includes a number of items that Franklin never sent, such as angry letters and drafts of unfinished works.
How to Search the Franklin Papers
The Franklin Papers can be searched by year, by recipient, or by keyword. You can also browse the collection by topic, such as science, politics, or religion.
Highlights of the Franklin Papers
The Franklin Papers are a treasure trove of information about Benjamin Franklin and his時代. Here are just a few of the highlights:
- An elegy to Franklin’s sister, written in 1722
- Angry letters that Franklin never sent
- A cute little P.S. in a 1767 letter to Mary Stevenson
- Franklin’s first letter to George Washington
- A detailed account of Franklin’s experiments with electricity
How to Explore the Franklin Papers
The Franklin Papers can be explored online at the U.S. Founders Archive website. The website provides a variety of tools to help you search and browse the collection.
You can also visit the Franklin Papers at Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. The library offers guided tours of the collection and access to original documents.
Tracing Correspondence Between Franklin and Others
The Franklin Papers are a great resource for tracing correspondence between Franklin and other historical figures. For example, you can find letters between Franklin and George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams.
To trace correspondence between Franklin and another person, simply search the Franklin Papers by the person’s name. You can also use the website’s advanced search features to narrow your search by date or topic.
Conclusion
The Franklin Papers are a valuable resource for anyone interested in American history. The collection offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and times of one of America’s most remarkable founding fathers.
