Read Works
Read Works: Benjamin Franklin: The Ultimate Solution Creator
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Benjamin Franklin and some of his inventions. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: Making Friends With Franklin
This site is an introduction plus a series of three lesson plans that explore Franklin's portraits plus aspects of his work in science and writing.
US National Archives
Docsteach: Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat
In this activity, students will review and analyze the founding documents of the United States and understand Benjamin Frankin's contributions and connections to these founding documents. Franklin was the only man to help shape all of...
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: Benjamin Franklin
This site from the University of Groningen provides Benjamin Franklin's complete autobiography 1706-1757.
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania Archives & Records: Benjamin Franklin 1706 1790
Brief biography of Benjamin Franklin.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Founding Fathers: Benjamin Franklin
A general biography of Benjamin Franklin.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Archiving Early America: Franklin and the Presbyterians
A detailed essay describing an incident having to do with the sermons of Samuel Hemphill within the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in 1734. Benjamin Franklin supported Hemphill.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
University of Maryland
Early Americas Digital Archive: On the Death of Dr. Benjamin Franklin
The complete text of the poem "On the Death of Dr. Benjamin Franklin" by Philip Freneau.
Other
Pocantico Hills School: Benjamin Franklin: A Man of Many Talents
This student-created project site looks at the life of Benjamin Franklin and his experiments with lightning. Includes a timeline, a glossary, a printable quiz, and many illustrations.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Benjamin Franklin
Overview and biographical facts on the life of Benjamin Franklin, an inventor, scientist, and Founding Father who helped draw up the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
University of Notre Dame
History of American Education Web Project: Benjamin Franklin
Biographical notes about Benjamin Franklin's role in the history of education in America, including his ideas about introducing science and new methodologies into school curricula.
Robin Chew
Lucid Cafe: Benjamin Franklin American Statesman and Inventor
This site contains a short biography on Benjamin Franklin. There are links to other sites, including videos.
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute Online: Electrified Ben
This site from the Franklin Institute Online provides a somewhat simplistic but interesting tale of Ben's electrical activities. Fine link to "electricity bells", in Franklin's own words. Some other links to projects, maybe not so...
University of Florida
Baldwin Library: The True Story of Benjamin Franklin, the American Statesman
A scanned copy of the 1898 publication of The True Story of Benjamin Franklin, the American Statesman by Elbridge Streeter Brooks, a nonfiction book for children.
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Franklin's Glass Armonica
Read a short essay about Franklin's invention of a musical instrument--the glass armonica. Includes a sound file of a composition by Mozart played on Franklin's instrument.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Colonial Network News: Ben Franklin Flies a Kite
The young scholars will create a news program about Benjamin Franklin and life in colonial times. The students will work in groups of complete research and prepare a video presentation. Young scholars will utilize books and various web...
Bibliomania
Bibliomania: The Autobiography, Letters, and Other Writings of Benjamin Franklin
Read Benjamin Franklin's autobiography online, along with other writings.
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Ben's Town
Learn lessons in civic responsibility from Benjamin Franklin, whose practical solutions to the problems of city living set the standard for civic engagement in the eighteenth century and today. Read about Franklin's support for public...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Picturing America: Powers: Benjamin Franklin [Pdf]
Analysis of Hiram Power's marble-sculpted portrait of Benjamin Franklin, which resides in the Senate wing of the U.S. Capitol. Made in 1862, the sculpture convincingly captures what many consider to be Franklin's essential character.
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life, an Electric Mind
To appreciate the contributions Benjamin Franklin made both to his own time and to ours, it is necessary to see all aspects of his public life, not just his role as a revolutionary, a diplomat, or a scientist. Each of the four sections...
Other
Benjamin Franklin House
The only remaining Franklin home, the one in London, has opened as a dynamic museum and educational facility. Although there is not a lot of information on Franklin himself, the conservation effort and subsequent use of the museum is...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Middle Colonies: The Ideas of Benjamin Franklin
A brief biography of Benjamin Franklin covering his career as a printer, philanthropist, inventor, and public servant.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Benjamin Franklin: Founding Father and Inventor
On this site find Benjamin Franklin's biography. Learn about this inventor, scientist, statesman, and Founding Father of the United States.
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