Benjamin Franklin III: Mistresses
Explicit content warning
05/01/23 • 39 min
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 Secret Franklin papers unpublished by the State Department are read directly.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.
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 Secret Franklin papers unpublished by the State Department are read directly.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.
Previous Episode
Benjamin Franklin II: William
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.
Next Episode
Benjamin Franklin IV: Open Relationships
4 of 7. We discuss Benjamin Franklin’s primary female love-interests in France and read direct correspondences including propositions for open relationships and proposals of marriage. Importantly- Ann-Catherine de Ligniville, Madame Helvetius and Anne Louise Brillon de Jouy are discussed. Amorous letters from and to Benjamin Franklin are read directly and discussed. Benjamin Franklin discusses with a lady-friend his penis and the blue-balls she is giving to him, in stylish prose. 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. Podcast home: https://www.grimphilly.com/podcast Support this show: https://www.patreon.com/grimphilly Tags: Benjamin Franklin woman. Madame Helvetius. Madame Brillon. Ann-Catherine de Ligniville. Anne Louise Brillon de Jouy.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/grim-philly-274491/benjamin-franklin-iii-mistresses-33227299"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to benjamin franklin iii: mistresses on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy