Benjamin Franklin – Founding Father, writer, inventor – remains one of the most famous visitors to Hillsborough Castle in its history. His visit to his political foe, Wills Hill, 1st Earl of Hillsborough, in 1771 offers an unexpected link to the history of US independence.

The two men were so completely opposed that earlier the same year, Franklin had tried to have Lord Hillsborough impeached. In response, there is evidence suggesting that Hillsborough wanted to have Franklin arrested.

Remarkably, the two men found much to agree on at the castle – but would the cordial atmosphere last?

Almost 250 years on from the signing of the US Declaration of Independence, we've delved into the archive to find out.

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