Benjamin Franklin Collection, 1753-1771

Contents and Arrangement

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Collection Overview

Creator:

Franklin, Benjamín (1706-1790)

Collector:

Princeton University. Library. Special Collections

Title:

Benjamin Franklin Collection

Repository:

Manuscripts Division

Permanent URL:

http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/cv43nw81c

Dates:

1753-1771

Size:

1 box and 0.2 linear feet

Storage Note:

Firestone Library (scamss): Box 1

Language:

English

Abstract: Consists primarily of selected correspondence and documents, both original and copies, of Benjamin Franklin, one of the most prominent of the founders and early political figures and statesmen of the United States.

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of selected correspondence and documents, both original and copies, of Benjamin Franklin and his son William Franklin. Correspondents include Francis Childs, Robert Cochran, Humphrey Marshall, and William Robertson. There is a fragment of a letter by Franklin to his children, dated 14 May 1771, from Passy (France). In addition, there is a preliminary sketch in pencil of Franklin made by Justus Chevillet for his 1778 portrait engraving, as well as three invoices addressed to Joseph Wharton from Franklin & Hall printers covering work done from 1748 to 1765. A document (1771) signed by William Franklin appoints William Paterson as solicitor and counselor at law for the Province of New Jersey.

Arrangement

Arranged by accession number.

Collection Creator Biography:

Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was one of the most prominent of the founders and early political figures and statesmen of the United States despite never holding national elective office. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin became a newspaper editor, printer, and merchant in Philadelphia, Pa. He also played a major role in establishing both the University of Pennsylvania and the Franklin and Marshall College. Franklin had several extramarital liaisons, including that which produced his illegitimate Loyalist son, William Franklin, who became the colonial governor of New Jersey.

Collection History

Acquisition:: Various AM.
Custodial History: The collection was formed as a result of a Departmental practice of combining into one collection material of various accessions relating to a particular person, family, or subject.
Appraisal: No appraisal information is available.
Processing Information: Finding aid written by James Flannery on February 17, 2006. Folder Inventory added by Hilde Creager (2015) in 2012.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

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