Cynthia J. O'Hora
Mrs. O's House: Benjamin Franklin Extraordinary
Research Benjamin Franklin's life. With this project, students will decide which of his discoveries holds the longest lasting effect.
History Tools
History Tools: Benjamin Franklin on Religion [Pdf]
Excerpt from The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1771, 1774, 1788 in which Franklin discusses his thoughts and beliefs on nature and religion. Paragraph numbers have been added.
University of Florida
Baldwin Library:young Benjamin Franklin or the Right Road Through Life by Mayhew
This is an online photocopy of the original text of the children's book Young Benjamin Franklin or The Right Road Through Life by Henry Mayhew (1861). This story shows how young Benjamin Franklin learned the principles he lived by.
University of Florida
Baldwin Library: Benjamin Franklin, the Printer Boy by William P. Nimmo Co.
This is an online photocopy of the original of the children's book Benjamin Franklin, the Printer Boy by William P. Nimmo & Co., (1880?) a historical fiction children's novel.
University of Florida
Baldwin Library: The Life of Dr. Benjamin Franklin
A scanned copy of the 1853 publication of The Life of Dr. Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin, an autobiography for children.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life (Teacher's Guide)
Go directly to the teaching resource that accompanies the PBS series "Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life, An Electric Mind" to find eight lesson plans that support the study of Benjamin Franklin and his place in history. Lessons...
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Franklin's Worldly Ways
Learn about the roles Benjamin Franklin played before, during, and after the American Revolution in furthering America's diplomatic interests.
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Franklin's Wit and Wisdom
Learn about Franklin's career as a writer and about his particular brand of humor in this five-part essay. Includes examples from his letters and from "Poor Richard's Almanack."
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Franklin's Inquiring Mind
Read a five-part essay that captures the essence of Franklin as a man of science.
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Citizen Ben
Read a five-part essay on Franklin's sense of civic duty and learn why he is still, to this day, considered a role model of good citizenship.
Franklin and Marshall College
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary: Anatomy of an Autobiography [Pdf]
PDF file of a transcript of a lecture delivered by Michael Zuckerman, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania on the topic of personal writing and autobiography using the "Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" as an example.
Other
University of Delware: Franklin and Friends
Using historically significant documents and photos from its collection, this exhibit probes the various interests of Franklin and the influential friends that shared his interests.
Other
Colonial Hall: Benjamin Franklin, 1706 1790
An extensive biography of founding father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin, transcribed from an 1829 publication, Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, by Rev. Charles A. Goodrich.
Other
Msu: Famous British Historian Claims Benjamin Franklin Was a British Spy
This article discusses allegations that Benjamin Franklin was a British spy and a member of the Hell-Fire club.
Other
Constitution facts.com: Which Founding Father Are You?
Answer five questions to learn which of six Founding Fathers you are most like.
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute: Ben Franklin's Armonica
Ever rub your wet finger along the top of a glass and listen to it sing? So did Benjamin Franklin. He then invented the glass armonica to recreate the sound. Read about the armonica, the music composed for it, and Franklin's scientific...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: History Comes Alive: Developing Fluency and Comprehension
Let the power of imagination and inference serve as a "time machine" to bring Benjamin Franklin into the classroom! History and science come to life in a dialogue with Franklin the inventor, developed through lesson activities that...
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: Colonial Newspapers and Magazines: The New England Courant
Find out how "The New England Courant" came about, and how it was different than other papers.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Poor Richard's Almanack
As part of a unit on Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack, this classroom activity provides a brief classroom project and includes lesson plan ideas, web links, and additional texts.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Benjamin Franklin's Birthday
As part of a unit on Benjamin Franklin and his works, this classroom activity provides a brief classroom project and includes lesson plan ideas, web links, and additional texts.
Other
Eng 223: American Literature Before 1865
Online syllabus for a college Pre-Civil War American Literature class with links to information about each class lesson. These lessons contain some good teaching ideas and background information about a number of famous authors, much of...
US National Archives
Nara: Founding Fathers: Pennsylvania
Gives biographical details on the eight delegates from Pennsylvania to the Constitutional Convention: George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimons, Benjamin Franklin, Jared Ingersoll, Thomas Mifflin, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, and James Wilson.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Inventors & Inventions From the 1700s
Use this site to learn more about early inventors and inventions from the 18th century. This web page offers text and images on various inventors and their inventions. You can also access information about inventors and inventions from...
Daily Teaching Tools
Daily Teaching Tools: Test 9: Ben's Harmonica
This Daily Teaching Tools resource provides a reading assessment passage. This passage contains a brief biography about Ben Franklin and a few of his inventions.