Person    | Male  Born 6/1/1706  Died 17/4/1790

Benjamin Franklin

Natural philosopher, writer, revolutionary politician and inventor. Born Boston, Massachusetts. Crossed the Atlantic 8 times, living for many years apart from his wife and children. A keen swimmer, he often swam in the Thames. Once swam from Chelsea to Blackfriars performing tricks on the way for the benefit of his friends in a boat alongside. 

Spent 1724-6 in London working in the printing business and wrote a pamphlet.  Was in London again, 1757-62 staying at 7 Craven Street, petitioning the British authorities on behalf of the Pennsylvania assembly. In London again, 1764-75, to petition king George III. 1783 signatory to the Treaty of Paris. Owned as many as 7 slaves and expressed the racist views that were common at the time, but later became an outspoken critic of slavery.

Quote: "Nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes." Invented: a heat-efficient stove - the "Franklin", bifocal glasses and swimming flippers. Died in Philadelphia.

His Autobiography is very readable.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Benjamin Franklin

Commemorated ati

Benjamin Franklin

Franklin lived here for two extended stays between 1757 and 1775. This is the...

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Diplomatic Gates

The spelling is probably a good indication of which country funded this memor...

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Other Subjects

India House

India House

An informal Indian nationalist organisation founded in 1905 by Shyamji Krishna Varma at 65 Cromwell Avenue. The term is also used to describe the building in Highgate where many of the student adhe...

Group, Nationalism, Politics & Administration, India

2 memorials
Sir Eric Salmon

Sir Eric Salmon

Eric Cecil Heygate Salmon. He was educated at Malvern College and the Malvern Society Archives carry an obituary from which we learn... Awarded the MC in WW1. Then worked in the Ministry of Health...

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Sir Horace Cutler

Sir Horace Cutler

Leader of the Greater London Council, 1977 - 1981.

Person, Politics & Administration

3 memorials
Henry Shrubsole

Henry Shrubsole

Banker, draper and former mayor of Kingston upon Thames: 1877, 1878 and 1879. At an annual dinner given for the poor, he had just finished his speech and was in the act of presenting a small packet...

Person, Commerce, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
African National Congress

African National Congress

London headquarters of the African National Congress, 1978 - 1994 were at 28 Penton Street.

Group, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Africa

1 memorial