I've looked far and wide on google for any mention of a yearly Franklin Award given by the frozen food industry. The two frozen food industry organizations I found American Frozen Food Industry and National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association make no mention of such an award. I've removed the statement. Akriasas 21:44, 3 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Hello everybody, what do you think of including a section commenting on a few of the most common spurious sayings and quotations attributed to B.F. and clarifing them there? I saw that something like that was mentioned just above. I happen to know of two alleged quotations by B.F. on Jews and Catholics which have been proven to be fakes, and another one about a comment on Paine's "Age of Reason". What are your opinions, would that make sense? Cheers, Trigaranus 13:11, 21 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

It is note worthy to mention that the prodigious son of reed richards and susan richards is named franklin benjamin richards as a homage to the original ben franklin. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 202.142.190.245 (talk) 06:39, 21 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

While the article contains a lot of information, it's hard not to question the accuracy of it due to the less-than-authoritative tone the writing quality imparts. For example:

When denied the option to write to the paper, Franklin invented the pseudonym of 'Mrs. Silence Dogood' who was ostensibly a middle-aged widow. The letters were published in the paper and became a subject of conversation around town.

The leap from creating a pseudonym to sending letters to the paper under the guise of the pseudonym is implied, leading to a poor flow and a jarring experience for the attentive reader. Another example:

The Library Company is now a great scholarly and research library because of its 500,000 rare books, pamphlets, and broadsides, more than 160,000 manuscripts, and 75,000 graphic items.

Use of the word "because" may be technically allowable, but it's also jarring because there is no need to justify the statement that the library a great one. "The Library Company is now a great scholarly and research library containing 500,000 rare books..." would be a more appropriate way to impart the information.

I don't have the time or interest to go in and start cleaning this stuff up, but I do hope someone who shares my opinion that this reads like a very good research paper by a sixth grader does have the time to do it. Franklin deserves better representation than this. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.212.1.74 (talk) 15:46, 30 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I would like to add a video dedicated to the life and accomplishments of Benjamin Franklin as explained by Prof. Philip Krider of University of Arizona. The link is http://www.researchchannel.org/prog/displayevent.aspx?rID=9379&fID=345 (this does not automatically open the video). Please let me know what you think. --ResearchChannel 03:51, 3 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Someone needs to include in how Benjamin Franklin was into vegetarianism, and was a vegetarian for the most part of his young life?. Sources: [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] --Sugarcubez 08:54, 6 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Someone (not me) has created such a paragraph, but the 2 references cited seem to contradict each other on whether or not he was in fact a vegetarian. clariosophic 01:31, 20 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe it's best to reference that various historical sources disagree on the possibility that he was a vegitarian. Once source used to claim that (http://www.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2005/mar/franklin061605.html) in fact stated the opposite:

• Ben was a vegetarian. False. Evidence suggests young Franklin was adverse to killing animals for food. He also figured vegetables cost less than meat, so he could spend more of his earnings on books. His diet wasn’t completely meat and fish free, though. Equinox137 (talk) 05:13, 1 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

On Pbs.org (link: http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/l3_wit_self.html) he's referred to as a vegetarian... but I believe Equinox137 is correct; I remember reading somewhere else that he was a flexitarian.

1337wesm (talk) 22:26, 27 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Is Benjamin Franklin a patriot loyalist or british? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.54.194.233 (talk) 15:37, 6 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

"As a political writer and activist he, more than anyone, invented the idea of an American nation" - "more than anyone" is just plain bothersome. sure, his is one of the more important roles, but to decide that franklin played the most important role in the development of the idea of america is not very encyclopaedic.

Bold text BEN FRANKLIN WAS A WEIRDO! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.104.43.68 (talk) 02:51, 10 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The article states "He spent many years in England and published the famous Poor Richard's Almanac and the Pennsylvania Gazette." I always thought the almanac and gazette were published in Philadelphia. Some clarification might be in order. Chris the speller 03:06, 11 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Two apparently conflicting sentences:

"In 1718, at the age of 12, Benjamin Franklin began in apprentice service to his half-brother, James, in the printing business and continued until he was twenty-one."

"At age 17, Franklin ran away to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, seeking a new start in a new city."

Was James right behind him? ;-) Perhaps someone can resolve this. Chris the speller 03:12, 11 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Just starting a new article - paddles (swimming). I found some sources that suggest that Benjamin Franklin invented the swimming paddle and fins. I think it's true because I've found two sites to do with it and also a couple of books - take a look at this and this paragraph 8. Thanks Fattyjwoods (talk) 01:26, 5 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Why doesn't it mention that during the ealry 1700's Boston was part of Britain and that the United States does not exist during the time of hs birth that could be valuable information —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.80.98.31 (talk) 01:44, 5 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe just me, but "Benjamin Franklin (January 17 [O.S. January 6] 1706 – April 17, 1790)" make the date of birth look awfully gaudy. How about just a note, that references the differences between Old and New styles. It sure doesn't look encycledia like. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Jamesklyne (talk • contribs) 07:38, 19 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know - it seems a reasonable way to abbreviate the widespread and inconsistent notes that already exist (or the repeated edit reversions according to taste, whether to use old/new style). Tedickey (talk) 15:08, 19 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Section on "Virtue, religion...", paragraph beginning "At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, when the convention seemed headed for disaster due to a vitoral debate, the elderly Franklin displayed his conviction that was intimately involved in human affairs..." Seems to need "God" before "intimately". I class this as a non-minor edit, because Franklin is said to be major deist, but IMHO the best definition of "deist" is someone who believes that God is *not* involved in human affairs.

KWRegan (talk) 02:26, 20 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Aaron Dolan 4 tits —Preceding unsigned comment added by 87.33.64.221 (talk) 12:02, 25 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

To further this point, the end of the quote about Jesus states "I see no harm in its being believed, if that belief has the good Consequence, as probably it has, of making his Doctrines more respected and better observed; especially as I do not perceive, that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the Unbelievers in his Government of the world with any peculiar Marks of his Displeasure." In Ben Franklin's letters to Ezra Stiles, Franklin explicitly states something that sounds like a shift away from outright deism "Here is my Creed: I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That he governs it by Providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable Service we render to him is doing good to his other Children. That the soul of Man is immortal, and will be treated with Justice in another Life respecting its conduct in in this. These I take to be the fundamental Principles of all sound Religion, and I regard them as you do in whatever sect I meet with them."--maybe just clarifying further that his religious views changed later in life would quell some debates about whether or not Franklin's deist beliefs were as non-Christian as some are led to believe by this page.

the first sentence of the page says that benjamin franklin was one of the most important and influental founding fathers. it should be changed to influential. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.38.204.99 (talk) 15:47, 10 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Done. Next time you find a mistake, have a try a fixing it yourself. You don't need anyone's approval as long a you edit with a sincere intent to improve the article. It's actually fun once you get the hang of it. ike9898 (talk) 18:03, 18 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It was very interesting to read about the money Franklin put in trust for 200 years. However, the lead section of this paragraph reads, "Franklin bequeathed £1,000 (about $4,400 at the time) ... ", and this statement is referenced to an article from 1993. It seems that this statement is probably significantly out of date. We need someone to recalculate the equivalent of £1,000 in 1790 with $ in 2008. Do you know how to do this? ike9898 (talk) 18:00, 18 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I am interested in the tradition of tossing pennies on Franklin's grave. Can anyone add any info regarding this to article? ike9898 (talk) 18:13, 18 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

• A penny tossed is a penny lost? http://ask.yahoo.com/20001211.html --JimWae (talk) 08:24, 22 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Franklin wrote, "In free governments the rulers are the servants and the people their superiors and sovereigns." As a powerful, prominent and ultimately successful advocate of the concept, ought we not to be explaining Franklin's significant contribution to the development of popular sovereignty at his biog article? --Mais oui! (talk) 08:44, 20 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

In 1748 Franklin helped raise the "Associators of Philadelphia" and was elected to the rank of Colonel-which he had to decline; Pennsylvania Records show that on 26 Oct 1786 "Franklin, B. Esqure {His Excelleny}" was issued a Certificate # 12,883 for 1 Pd 5 shillings and 7 pence! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.53.145.212 (talk) 13:03, 1 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Isn't syphilis worth a mention [7]--Dr who1975 (talk) 22:22, 7 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I was wondering, was Ben Franklin really born on Milk street or is that just someone who edited the page? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.81.75.48 (talk) 01:11, 10 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It's easy to find reliable sources which say this (bear in mind that talk pages are not a reliable source) Tedickey (talk) 11:07, 10 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Tranquility is misspelled with 2 'l's instead of one. Unless this was intentional... Sarinae (talk) 23:31, 19 March 2008 (UTC)sarinae[reply]

i just want to know where he was born gosh!

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WAS IN BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS JANUARY 6,1706.HE HAVE FIVE BROTHER AND ALSO HAVE FOUR SISTER IN HIS FAMILY.BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FATHER NAME IS JOSIAH FRANKLIN HE WAS BORN IN ECTON, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE,ENGLAND DECEMBER 23,1657.ALSO HIS MOTHER ABIAH FOLGER WAS BORN IN NATUCKET,MASSACHUSETTS AUGUST 15,1667. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.180.85.197 (talk) 00:47, 18 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I'd like to place the following in the Popular Culture section:

Benjamin Franklin appears in several of the skits of the celebrated radio theatre group Firesign Theatre, which has labeled him "The only President of the United States who was NEVER President of the United States."Coffeehog (talk) 23:48, 18 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Adding more items to the popular culture section is not appropriate. That section is way to long as it is. Please see WP:Trivia for more info on trivia sections. The items in that section need to be worked into the prose of the article if appropriate or removed completely if not. Jons63 (talk) 12:09, 21 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Like most of the trivia sections, a small fraction of the material is generally useful, but most should simply be deleted. Tedickey (talk) 12:19, 21 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The Opening sentence: "Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1706] – April 17, 1790) ..." shows the Old Style date as January 6, 1706 but the Julian calendar used in the colonies started the new year on March 25; therefore his birth date in the old style should read, January 06, 1705 because the year 1706 didn't begin until March 25, some two and a half months after he was born. —Preceding unsigned comment added by AWatts649 (talk • contribs) 03:05, 1 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

To be comprehensive, this article should probably mention Ben Franklin's use of laudanum late in life to alleviate the pain of kidney stones.[8] He likely became addicted to opium as a result.—RJH (talk) 16:00, 23 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

What is the role that Father Abraham plays? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.114.203.218 (talk) 12:57, 27 June 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I tried adding under the Deborah Read section that his wife wrote him in 1769 blaming her illness on their separation, but my edits were removed. Even though I provided a link to the History Channel program where this is said. 76.100.180.5 (talk) 19:08, 4 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The article at present states "Franklin established a common-law marriage with Deborah Read on 1 September 1730." This seems improbably precise; I doubt that anything in particular happened on that date, as a common-law relationship is established when a single man and single woman living together for some period of time with the intent of being husband and wife rather than by ceremony. (It's also not clear that a common-law marriage can be established if one already has a living husband...one certainly can't in most jurisdictions. I think this "common-law" thing may be a convenient lie told to school children to avoid the mentioning that Franklin was "living in sin".) In any case, we need some sort of citation for this date. - Nunh-huh 01:27, 23 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Is the portrait by Benjamin Wilson in 1759 the oldest known image of Franklin? It'd be nice to get an older one if one exists. Kingturtle (talk) 15:52, 23 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I wonder why Charles-Joseph Mathon de la Cour is referred to as "The Frenchman" two times after his name is stated. It is true he mocked Poor Richard's Almanac, but is it only me or referring to him as to the "Frenchman" has a slightly mocking tone to it? Maxolius (talk) 02:32, 29 September 2008 (UTC)[reply]

"The city of Philadelphia contains around 5,000 likenesses of Benjamin Franklin, about half of which are located on the University of Pennsylvania campus."

When I first read that, I thought it to be a joke--the part about half of them being located on the university campus. Does that need to be included? Is it even true? Are there that many likenesses of him on the campus? I just found it odd that that was included. It seemed trivial and I thought perhaps it was a tongue in cheek thing. Killiondude (talk) 07:02, 3 October 2008 (UTC)[reply]