Benjamin Franklin and His EnemiesIn this engaging study of the much-loved statesman and polymath, Robert Middlekauff uncovers a little-known aspect of Benjamin Franklin's personality—his passionate anger. He reveals a fully human Franklin who led a remarkable life but nonetheless had his share of hostile relationships—political adversaries like the Penns, John Adams, and Arthur Lee—and great disappointments—the most significant being his son, William, who sided with the British. Utilizing an abundance of archival sources, Middlekauff weaves episodes in Franklin's emotional life into key moments in colonial and Revolutionary history. The result is a highly readable narrative that illuminates how historical passions can torment even the most rational and benevolent of men. |
Contents
xv | |
1 | |
Making Enemies | 22 |
The Irrational Mr Franklin | 55 |
The Triumph of the Enemies | 77 |
An Old Friend Becomes an Enemy | 115 |
Wedderburnes in France Arthur Lee and Ralph Izard | 139 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Abigail Abigail Adams action Adams's agent anger appeared appointed Arthur Lee Assembly Assembly's attack began Benjamin Franklin BF Papers Britain British cited in note Collinson colonies Congress Deane's Diary and Autobiography early enemies England English father feeling felt France Frank French friends friendship Galloway gave governor hatred Hillsborough Hutson Ibid Indians interest Izard John Adams John Penn Joseph Galloway June knew lands learned Lee's letters London loved Madame Brillon Madame Helvetius ment merchants minister Morris never Paris Parliament passion Penn's Pennsylvania Politics persuade Peter Collinson Peters petition Philadelphia Philip Ludwell Lee Priestley Princeton proprietor province Quaker Party Quakers quotations reason recognized Richard Richard Peters royal government seemed sense served ships Silas Deane soon Strahan Thomas Penn thought tion told took TP Mss treaty University Press Vergennes wanted William Franklin William Penn William Smith wrote young