Episodes
Franklin Part I, Boston to Philadelphia
The runaway apprentice, the printing house, the rise, from the Autobiography and the early papers.
Franklin Part II, Scientist, Diplomat, Founder
The experiments, the French alliance, the Convention, and the last public act: the abolition petition of 1790.
From the Record
I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such: because I think a General Government necessary for us... I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin · Speech at the Conclusion of the Convention · September 17, 1787 · Yale Avalon
Key Documents in the Archive
The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, Complete Digital Edition
Yale University · franklinpapers.org
The Albany Plan of Union · 1754
Yale Avalon Project
Franklin’s Anti-Slavery Petition to Congress · February 3, 1790
National Archives · Center for Legislative Archives
Franklin Correspondence · Founders Online
Founders Online · National Archives
Browse Further
The Full Archive →
52 episodes, 347 primary documents, 30 founders, browse by founder or topic.
A Note from the Founder
If you learned something new or just enjoyed the content, please share it and follow along on X and Substack. This page runs on a passion for our shared history, and a steady supply of caffeine. If you're able, consider buying a coffee. It goes a long way toward keeping the content coming, and helps the project grow into new mediums down the road. My sincere thanks.
- Jeff, FounderThe Founders' Record