iCivics
I Civics: Benjamin Franklin Mini Lesson
"The First American", Benjamin Franklin, is the only Founding Father that signed all three major documents that founded the United States of America. Students explore the many roles he took during the founding of America.
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.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: Declaration of Independence
Describes the meeting of the Continental Congress during which the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Links to famous people present at the meeting.
Bibliomania
Bibliomania: The Autobiography, Letters, and Other Writings of Benjamin Franklin
Read Benjamin Franklin's autobiography online, along with other writings.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Benjamin Franklin's Rising Sun
Franklin, as the oldest delegate to the Constitutional Convention, recognized the arguments against the proposed new government and the strength of the Federalists. The essay gives insight into Franklin's views on the drafted...
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Franklin's Electricity
Some research puts Franklin's electrical work in the scientific and political context of his day. An interesting point of view, one not usually found in comments of Franklin and electrostatics. Done by a professor from University of...
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...
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Franklin's Thirteen Virtues
Understand the virtues valued by Franklin, and other eighteenth-century men and women, by perusing this list.
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: First Silence Dogood Letter
Read the text of the first letter Franklin wrote to the "New England Courant," in 1772, under the Silence Dogood pseudonym.
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: World of Influence
Read a five-part synopsis of Franklin's engagement with the world beyond America's borders, beginning with his celebrity status as a world-renown scientist. Includes write-ups of his time in London and Paris and of his extensive...
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...
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.
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.
C-SPAN
C Span American Writers: The Autobiography of Franklin
A brief summary of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Also includes an on-line sample of the work as well as links to other informational websites.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Read an online version of a 1909 Harvard Classics edition of "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin," including the front matter, illustrations, and an introductory note.
![Berkeleyan: Infotainment Traced to Historical Figure [Ben Franklin] Website](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/129968-d4e8dcaccdab5c0edc04971a9910ff57.jpg?1661500779 "Berkeleyan: Infotainment Traced to Historical Figure [Ben Franklin] Website")
University of California
Berkeleyan: Infotainment Traced to Historical Figure [Ben Franklin]
Newsletter article offers a glimpse into Franklin's early journalistic career.
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.
University of Maryland
Early Americas Digital Archive: Autobiography
The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790).
University of Maryland
Early Americas Digital Archive: Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America
An essay by Benjamin Franklin describing the Native Americans of North America and explaining how "savages" is not an appropriate name.
University of Maryland
Early Americas Digital Archive: Information to Those Who Would Remove to America
The complete text of the essay "Information to Those Who Would Remove to America" by Benjamin Franklin.
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.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Turning on the Lights
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this lesson students learn the parts of a circuit, build series and parallel circuits, learn about insulators and conductors, and more in this interactive multimedia flipchart.
My Hero Project
My Hero: Science Hero: Benjamin Franklin
This brief article overviews some of Benjamin Franklin's accomplishments as a scientist and a political diplomat, whose efforts not only made him "one of the most famous scientists of his day," but also a hero to early American Colonists.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: So You Want to Podcast
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart is a presentation of a podcasting project on the topic of Benjamin Franklin. Links for podcasting tutorials, software and collaboration activities are included, as well as some...