Grim Philly

3 of 7. Secret Franklin papers unpublished by the State Department are read directly. Woman and men paid money to watch Benjamin Franklin just walk down the street; smothered him with kisses: and he advised his own grandson on the most pleasing attributes to look for in a lady he would choose to make his mistress. We discuss wildly different reactions of notables like Abigail Adams and Thomas Jefferson to Franklin’s behavior around the ladies, and: of their behavior around him. The master diplomat secures open French military support and attempts to negotiate an end to the American War for Independence with British Commander General William Howe over a game of chess. Professor of World History Joe Wojie is joined by American historians Britnee Smith, Ted Sisco, and Toni Levitt. With guest Neil Ronk, Chief Historian and Director of Christ Church Preservation Trust Philadelphia. https://www.grimphilly.com/podcast - podcast home page. https://www.patreon.com/grimphilly - support this show.

*Episode Corrections: 

(1) Former Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died both on the 4th of July, 1826 on the 50th anniversary of adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

(1) William Temple Franklin, the grandson of Benjamin Franklin, received a letter of advice on selecting a mistress from his grandfather as private correspondence prior to the bequeathment of additional papers for publication left to him in his grandfather's will.

2 of 7. AKA Traitor William. Benjamin Franklin’s illegitimate son William was dragged from New Jersey by Revolutionary authorities, locked away for treason, and exiled after the war. Ben wrote him out of his will twice, refused him reconciliation, and raised his illegitimate son’s illegitimate son: Temple. Join Grim Philly historians as we flesh-out everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Benjamin Franklin’s illegitimate son William Franklin: soldier, son, politician, loyalist. And, a little on the importance to Franklin of the game of chess. Historians Joe Wojie, Britnee Smith, and Ted Sisco are joined by Neil Ronk, Director of Christ Church Preservation Trust, Philadelphia. And joining remote from Boston is Lauren Krupinski, NPS Historian from Franklin sites there. 

1 of 7. The bodies of dozens of dead woman, men, and children stolen from their graves were discovered hidden in Benjamin Franklin’s basement in 1998 sparking modern inquiries and investigations. World-famous for his lightning experiments; contemporaneous anatomists and scientists were inspired to electrify the bodies of hanged criminals attempting to charge the dead with life. Inspired by Dr. Franklin; Mary Shelly has Dr. Frankenstein in her novel do the same. Join historians from Grim as we open our three and a half hour audio-biography on Philadelphia’s own Benjamin Franklin: including the young founder’s arrival to Philadelphia at the age of seventeen, falling smitten with his future common-law wife Deborah Reed, and stories of the most riveting body-snatching and electrical experiments you may just have ever heard. Historians Joe Wojie, Britnee Smith, and Ted Sisco are joined by Neil Ronk, Director of Christ Church Preservation Trust, Philadelphia. And joining remote from Boston is Lauren Krupinski, NPS Historian from Franklin sites there.