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Benjamin Franklin

Franklin Makes a Name for Himself as a Printer

3m 53s

Franklin, who had only two years of formal education, largely taught himself through reading and on the job. At age 12, he joined his older brother James’s print shop as an apprentice printer. Later, when an essay appeared in James’s newspaper over the name Silence Dogood, no one, including James, knew the real author was 16-year-old Benjamin.

Corporate funding for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by David M. Rubenstein. Major funding was also provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine; University of Pennsylvania; Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; Kissick Family Foundation; Deborah and Jon Dawson; Diane and Hal Brierley; McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Cappy and Janie McGarr; Lavender Butterfly Fund; and Susan and Charles Shanor Charitable Trust.
Extras
Watch • 1:54:59
Benjamin Franklin
“An American” (1775-1790)
Benjamin Franklin helps craft the Declaration of Independence and wins French support.
Episode: S1 E2 | 1:54:59
Watch • 4:20
Benjamin Franklin
The Treaty of Paris, 1783
The Treaty of Paris ended a war, secured Independence and created an Empire.
Clip: 4:20
Watch • 1:54:59
Benjamin Franklin
“An American” (1775-1790)
Benjamin Franklin helps craft the Declaration of Independence and wins French support.
Episode: S1 E2 | 1:54:59
Watch • 1:55:26
Benjamin Franklin
“Join or Die” (1706-1774)
After success as a Philadelphia printer Benjamin Franklin earns worldwide fame in science.
Episode: S1 E1 | 1:55:26