Ben Franklin in London, circa 1760, age fifty-four, as colonial agent of the Pennsylvania Assembly. He and his thirty-year-old son would petition Parliament for authority to tax the rich proprietors of the colony.Ben Franklin in London, circa 1760, age fifty-four, as colonial agent of the Pennsylvania Assembly. He and his thirty-year-old son would petition Parliament for authority to tax the rich proprietors of the colony.

Ben Franklin in London, circa 1760, age fifty-four, as colonial agent of the Pennsylvania Assembly. He and his thirty-year-old son would petition Parliament for authority to tax the rich proprietors of the colony.

Deborah Read Franklin, Ben Franklin’s wife, circa 1759, age fifty, dressed in her finest silks for her portrait by Benjamin Wilson in Philadelphia. While her husband served in diplomatic posts in Europe for twenty-three years, he could never persuade her to leave Philadelphia.Deborah Read Franklin, Ben Franklin’s wife, circa 1759, age fifty, dressed in her finest silks for her portrait by Benjamin Wilson in Philadelphia. While her husband served in diplomatic posts in Europe for twenty-three years, he could never persuade her to leave Philadelphia.

Deborah Read Franklin, Ben Franklin’s wife, circa 1759, age fifty, dressed in her finest silks for her portrait by Benjamin Wilson in Philadelphia. While her husband served in diplomatic posts in Europe for twenty-three years, he could never persuade her to leave Philadelphia.

Sally Franklin (Mrs. Richard Bache), Franklin’s daughter, in 1793, age thirty-nine, draped and coiffed “a la mode” for her portrait by John Hoppner. Devoted to her father, mother, and brother William, Sally was the heart and anchor of a quarrelsome family.Sally Franklin (Mrs. Richard Bache), Franklin’s daughter, in 1793, age thirty-nine, draped and coiffed “a la mode” for her portrait by John Hoppner. Devoted to her father, mother, and brother William, Sally was the heart and anchor of a quarrelsome family.

Sally Franklin (Mrs. Richard Bache), Franklin’s daughter, in 1793, age thirty-nine, draped and coiffed “a la mode” for her portrait by John Hoppner. Devoted to her father, mother, and brother William, Sally was the heart and anchor of a quarrelsome family.

Governor William Franklin in retirement in London, circa 1785, age fifty-five. Painting by Danuta Wyszynski after a portrait by Mather Brown.Governor William Franklin in retirement in London, circa 1785, age fifty-five. Painting by Danuta Wyszynski after a portrait by Mather Brown.

Governor William Franklin in retirement in London, circa 1785, age fifty-five. Painting by Danuta Wyszynski after a portrait by Mather Brown.

Benjamin and William Franklin’s London residence on Craven Street. Father and son were lodgers in rooms on the second and third floor, rented from the widow Margaret Stevenson from 1757 to 1762. Benjamin returned to live here during his second mission to Parliament, 1764 to 1775.

Joseph Galloway, a wealthy lawyer and William’s tutor, in militia coat of Pennsylvania regiment, circa 1760, age twenty-nine. A political partner of Benjamin’s before the Revolution, he remained a staunch Tory, and so the friends grew apart.Joseph Galloway, a wealthy lawyer and William’s tutor, in militia coat of Pennsylvania regiment, circa 1760, age twenty-nine. A political partner of Benjamin’s before the Revolution, he remained a staunch Tory, and so the friends grew apart.

Joseph Galloway, a wealthy lawyer and William’s tutor, in militia coat of Pennsylvania regiment, circa 1760, age twenty-nine. A political partner of Benjamin’s before the Revolution, he remained a staunch Tory, and so the friends grew apart.

Benjamin Franklin with “friend” on Craven Street, circa 1761, surprised in a private moment by the artist Charles Willson Peale.Benjamin Franklin with “friend” on Craven Street, circa 1761, surprised in a private moment by the artist Charles Willson Peale.

Benjamin Franklin with “friend” on Craven Street, circa 1761, surprised in a private moment by the artist Charles Willson Peale.

Thomas PennThomas Penn

Thomas Penn, proprietor of Pennsylvania, 1752, age fifty, dressed to receive company in his London mansion. His refusal to pay taxes upon his vast land holdings brought the Franklins to London to petition against him. Portrait by Arthur Devis.

Glass armonica, Franklin’s musical invention, 1762. Mozart, Beethoven, and others composed works for the instrument, fashionable in its time. Glass armonica, Franklin’s musical invention, 1762. Mozart, Beethoven, and others composed works for the instrument, fashionable in its time.

Glass armonica, Franklin’s musical invention, 1762. Mozart, Beethoven, and others composed works for the instrument, fashionable in its time.

Lord Stirling (William Alexander), 1770, in militia uniform of New Jersey regiment, age forty-three. Wealthy merchant, astronomer, winemaker turned Patriot soldier, this friend of William’s became his archenemy during the Revolution.Lord Stirling (William Alexander), 1770, in militia uniform of New Jersey regiment, age forty-three. Wealthy merchant, astronomer, winemaker turned Patriot soldier, this friend of William’s became his archenemy during the Revolution.

Lord Stirling (William Alexander), 1770, in militia uniform of New Jersey regiment, age forty-three. Wealthy merchant, astronomer, winemaker turned Patriot soldier, this friend of William’s became his archenemy during the Revolution.

George Washington in 1772, age thirty-nine, dressed in his dated uniform from the French and Indian War. Painting by Charles Willson Peale.George Washington in 1772, age thirty-nine, dressed in his dated uniform from the French and Indian War. Painting by Charles Willson Peale.

George Washington in 1772, age thirty-nine, dressed in his dated uniform from the French and Indian War. Painting by Charles Willson Peale.

Benjamin Franklin being interrogated by the Privy Council after the Boston Tea Party, 1774. His chief inquisitor, the lawyer Alexander Wedderburn, called him an “incendiary” and “the prime conductor” of the trouble between Great Britain and the colonies. Painting by Christian Schussele.Benjamin Franklin being interrogated by the Privy Council after the Boston Tea Party, 1774. His chief inquisitor, the lawyer Alexander Wedderburn, called him an “incendiary” and “the prime conductor” of the trouble between Great Britain and the colonies. Painting by Christian Schussele.

Benjamin Franklin being interrogated by the Privy Council after the Boston Tea Party, 1774. His chief inquisitor, the lawyer Alexander Wedderburn, called him an “incendiary” and “the prime conductor” of the trouble between Great Britain and the colonies. Painting by Christian Schussele.

Marquis de Lafayette, Major General in the Continental Army, friend of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, in 1790, at the age of thirty-three. Lafayette was privileged to carry Franklin’s private correspondence by hand between Philadelphia and France during the war. Portrait by Jean-Baptiste Weyler.Marquis de Lafayette, Major General in the Continental Army, friend of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, in 1790, at the age of thirty-three. Lafayette was privileged to carry Franklin’s private correspondence by hand between Philadelphia and France during the war. Portrait by Jean-Baptiste Weyler.

Marquis de Lafayette, Major General in the Continental Army, friend of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, in 1790, at the age of thirty-three. Lafayette was privileged to carry Franklin’s private correspondence by hand between Philadelphia and France during the war. Portrait by Jean-Baptiste Weyler.

The great diplomat in France, 1778, age seventy-two, by Joseph Siffred Duplessis.The great diplomat in France, 1778, age seventy-two, by Joseph Siffred Duplessis.

The great diplomat in France, 1778, age seventy-two, by Joseph Siffred Duplessis.

William Strahan, publisher of Gibbon, Hume, and Dr. Johnson, and the Franklins’ most devoted friend, in 1780, age sixty-five. It is difficult to imagine either Ben or William Franklin’s diplomatic success in England without Strahan’s support. Portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds. William Strahan, publisher of Gibbon, Hume, and Dr. Johnson, and the Franklins’ most devoted friend, in 1780, age sixty-five. It is difficult to imagine either Ben or William Franklin’s diplomatic success in England without Strahan’s support. Portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds.

William Strahan, publisher of Gibbon, Hume, and Dr. Johnson, and the Franklins’ most devoted friend, in 1780, age sixty-five. It is difficult to imagine either Ben or William Franklin’s diplomatic success in England without Strahan’s support. Portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds.

Benjamin Franklin returns to America, 1787, age eighty-one, by Charles Willson Peale.Benjamin Franklin returns to America, 1787, age eighty-one, by Charles Willson Peale.

Benjamin Franklin returns to America, 1787, age eighty-one, by Charles Willson Peale.

William Temple Franklin, William’s son, in America, 1790, age twenty-nine. Charming, handsome, and talented, Ben Franklin’s grandson, who served as his aide in France during the war, struggled to fulfill his promise.Painting attributed to John Trumbull.William Temple Franklin, William’s son, in America, 1790, age twenty-nine. Charming, handsome, and talented, Ben Franklin’s grandson, who served as his aide in France during the war, struggled to fulfill his promise.Painting attributed to John Trumbull.

William Temple Franklin, William’s son, in America, 1790, age twenty-nine. Charming, handsome, and talented, Ben Franklin’s grandson, who served as his aide in France during the war, struggled to fulfill his promise.Painting attributed to John Trumbull.