Leaving behind his Boston childhood, Benjamin Franklin reinvents himself in Philadelphia where he builds a printing empire and a new life with his wife, Deborah. Turning to science, Franklin's lightning rod and experiments in electricity earn him worldwide fame. After entering politics, he spends years in London trying to keep Britain and America together as his own family starts to come apart.
Benjamin Franklin leaves London and returns to wartime Philadelphia where he joins Congress and helps Thomas Jefferson craft the Declaration of Independence. In Paris, he wins French support for the American Revolution then negotiates a peace treaty with Britain. He spends his last years in the new United States, working on the Constitution and unsuccessfully promoting the abolition of slavery.
Filmmakers and special guests explore Franklin's writing. "Franklin and Writing" is presented by GBH, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, and The Boston Globe. Featuring Ken Burns; Christopher Brown, Professor of History, Columbia University; and Jane Kamensky, Professor of History, Harvard University. Moderated by Bina Venkataraman, Editor-at-Large, The Boston Globe.
Filmmakers and special guests explore Franklin's innovations. "Franklin and Innovation" is presented by The WNET Group and Fast Company and Inc. Featuring Ken Burns; Walter Isaacson, author of "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life;" and Stacy Schiff, author of "A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America." Moderated by Stephanie Mehta, Chief Content Officer, Mansueto.
Filmmakers and special guests explore Franklin and diplomacy. This discussion is presented by WETA and Georgetown University. Production funding was provided by The Better Angels Society. Featuring Ken Burns; Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; and Nicholas Burns, Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. Moderated by Judy Woodruff, PBS NewsHour.
Filmmakers and special guests explore Franklin and revolution. "Franklin and Revolution" is presented by WHYY. Featuring Ken Burns; Walter Isaacson, author of "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life;" and Erica Dunbar, Professor of History, Rutgers University. Moderated by Marty Moss-Coane (she/her), Host and Executive Producer of "Radio Times" on WHYY.
Ken Burns speaks with Mandy Patinkin and Michael Douglas to discuss what it's like to take on their roles as founding father Benjamin Franklin.
As Britain and the colonies grew apart, Benjamin Franklin, the most famous American in London and an agent for several colonies, found himself caught in the middle. After the Boston Tea Party, he was publicly humiliated in a government meeting room called the Cockpit and blamed for the crisis across the ocean. It was clearer than ever that Franklin would have to choose a side.
