Description:

Benjamin Franklin
London, England, March 1-4, 1788
The London Chronicle Prematurely Reports the Death of Benjamin Franklin
Newspaper
[BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.] The London Chronicle, March 1-4, 1788. London: T. Wilkie. 8 pp., 9" x 12". Disbound; rough edges, not affecting text; p4 has a bold halfpenny stamp; minor staining; very good.

This issue of The London Chronicle from March 1788 reports the rumor that letters from Philadelphia had reported the death of Benjamin Franklin "in the 78th year of his age." Franklin died more than two years later, in April 1790, at age 84.

Excerpt
"Letters are said to have been received from Philadelphia, which mention that the celebrated Dr. Benjamin Franklin died there, about the middle of January last in the 78th year of his age."

"Many historians will soon be engaged to delineate his character, which, perhaps, considered in all points of view, is one of the most extraordinary any age or country has produced; his philosophy and politics have been pretty well understood in this country, especially the latter." (p2/c1)

"Mr. Adams, the American Ambassador, will not be succeeded by any other Envoy from the American states; but a Consul will be appointed to reside in London for the purpose of trade." (p8/c1)

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was one of the first great American Renaissance men, succeeding as a statesman, scientist, writer, printer, and diplomat. Born in Boston, he received only two years of formal education, before being apprenticed to his brother who had founded a newspaper. After spending a short time in London, Franklin settled in Philadelphia and established his own printing business in 1728. In 1732, he published the first edition of his Poor Richard's Almanac, an entertaining combination of traditional almanac material and maxims taken from around the world. During the 1740s, he developed an interest in science, invented the Franklin stove, and performed a series of key experiments on electricity. In 1757, he returned to England as Pennsylvania's representative in a tax dispute and successfully negotiated a settlement. In 1764, he again went to England to argue (unsuccessfully) against a proposed Stamp Act. In the following years, he was retained as a colonial agent in London by Pennsylvania, Georgia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. When the tension between England and the American colonies increased, he returned home and served as a member of the Second Continental Congress, where he organized a new postal system and helped draft the Declaration of Independence. He negotiated for military and financial assistance in France during the Revolutionary War and arranged the commercial and strategic alliance with that country in 1778. Franklin played an integral role in the Treaty of Paris (September 3, 1783), settling peace between the U.S. and Britain. He remained active into his old age, serving as Ambassador to France (1776-1785), President of Pennsylvania (1785-1788), and host, delegate, and elder statesman to the Constitutional Convention (1787). He continued his scientific investigations: at the age of 83, he invented bifocal glasses.

The London Chronicle (1756-1823) was a family newspaper published three times weekly in London, England. It contained world and national news and artistic, literary, and theatrical events in the capital. Typical issues had eight pages, and its original title was The London Chronicle: or, Universal Evening Post, until 1765, when the title was shortened. It was the first newspaper in Europe to publish the United States Declaration of Independence. In 1823, the London Packet absorbed the London Chronicle.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 9" x 12"
  • Medium: Newspaper

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