State Library of Pennsylvania - Benjamin Franklin

About This Collection

Materials by and about Benjamin Franklin from the State Library collection digitized in commemoration of his 300th birthday.
Displaying 14 items
Filter
"A valuable collection of neat books well chosen" : the Pennsylvania Assembly Library
Legislative journals -- Pennsylvania, Government libraries -- Pennsylvania -- History -- 18th century, Pennsylvania. -- General Assembly. -- Library -- History -- 18th century
Describes the history and contents of the General Assembly, Rare Books Collection at the State Library of Pennsylvania. The original colleciton was ordered from England by the clerk of Pennsylvania's General Assembly, Benjamin Franklin. Includes many photographs of the items in the collection, as well as an "Abbreviated list of titles from the General Assembly, Rare Books Collection" in the Appendix. Also includes bibliographical references.
More
Account of the new invented Pennsylvanian fire-places: wherein their construction and manner of operation is particularly explained; their advantages above every other method of warming rooms demonstrated; and all objections that have been raised against the use of them, answered and obviated. With directions for putting them up, and for using them to the best advantage. And a copper-plate, in which the several parts of the machine are exactly laid down, from a scale of equal parts
Fireplaces -- Early works to 1800, Stoves -- Early works to 1800, Heating -- Early works to 1800
Benjamin Franklin describes the recently-invented 7 plate wood stoves then in use. He first writes of various kinds of fireplaces and stoves in current use. Then he describes the construction and use of the new stove. He also explains the advantages of the new stove. The pamphlet concludes with an illustration of the new "fire-place."
More
Ben Franklin's other library : the Pennsylvania State Library.
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 -- Libraries, State Library of Pennsylvania -- History, Libraries -- Pennsylvania -- History
A history and description of the State Library of Pennsylvania at its 220th anniversary. Acknowledges the Benjamin Franklin's "participation was on a technical basis only, as that of a clerk who was requested to order some books." Continues by sketching the subsequent history of the Library. Describes the organization and mission of the Library. Written in fulfillment of requirements for a 'Library in Society' course at the Drexel Institute of Technology, Graduate School of Library Science, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
More
Benjamin Franklin and the University of Pennsylvania; an address delivered at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia at the request of Pennsylvania, April 17,1906
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790, University of Pennsylvania.
Hampton Carson, Pennsylvania attorney general, describes the personality and interests of Benjamin Franklin, touching especially on those characteristics that led Franklin to be involved with educational efforts in general and the University of Pennsylvania in particular. Carson also mentions by name a large number of notable alumni.
More
Benjamin Franklin as a free mason; compiled at the request of the right worshipful grand master of Pennsylvania and read at the bi-centenary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin before the right worshipful grand lodge of Pennsylvania, free and accepted masons, March seventh, nineteen hundred and six, by Julius Friedrich Sachse
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 -- Freemasonry, Freemasons -- Pennsylvania, Freemasons -- Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
Sketch of Benjamin Franklin's career as a mason that was written for the celebration of Franklin's bicentennial. Includes facsimiles from original manuscript sources and lengthy quotations from published accounts and documents relating to Franklin's involvement with freemasonry. The text, however, does point out that "for some reason, Franklin in his writings and correspondence is singularly silent upon the subject of Freemasonry .... There is not a word about his Masonic life to be found in his Autobiography, or in any of his other letters that have come down to us; almost every other subject is touched upon in his voluminous correspondence except such as relate to the Craft." (page 105) Includes detailed account of a Masonic memorial service held for Franklin at his grave on 19 April 1906.
More
Chronology of Benjamin Franklin, founder of the American Philosophical Society
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
A chronological listing of personal and public events in the life of Benjamin Franklin, including his publications, inventions, and diplomatic endeavours.
More
Conduct of the Paxton-men, impartially represented; the distresses of the frontiers, and the complaints and sufferings of the people fully stated ... With some remarks upon the Narrative, of the Indian-massacre, lately publish'd. Interspers'd with several interesting anecdotes, relating to the military genius, and warlike principles of the people call'd Quakers: together-with proper reflection and advice upon the whole. In a letter from a gentleman in one of the back counties, to a friend in Philadelphia. ...
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 -- Narrative of the late massacres, Paxton boys, Conestoga Indians, Indians of North America -- Pennsylvania, Massacres, Pennsylvania -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775, Lancaster County (Pa.) -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
Writing in response to the reports of and commentary on the recent masssacre of Native Americans in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania -- and especially to Benjamin Franklin's 'A Narrative of the Late Massacres' -- Thomas Barton defends the actions of the Paxton Boys, who carried out the killings. His argument includes characterizations of the Philadelphia Quakers who are not, he argues, as pacifistic as they claim to be. Barton ends the pamphlet by asking his reader to advise the "visionary Quakers and Don Quixotes" that they should hear the complaints of the people and remove the Indians from the scene in order to restore peace, harmony, and good order in the colony.
More
Extracts from the autobiography and other writings of Benjamin Franklin suggested for use in the public schools of the city of Boston by the Joint Bi-Centennial Committee in connection with the observance of the 200th anniversary of Franklin's birth January 17, 1906.
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Contains short, titled readings from Benjamin Franklin's writings.
More
Franklin & fires : his interest therein and his efforts to protect the citizens of Philadelphia from devastation : especially in relation to the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire.
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790, Fire prevention--History, Insurance, Fire--History
Published in the bicentennial year of his birth, this volume describes Benjamin Franklin's numerous achievements in connection with fire. Particularly highlighted are: his role in the establishment of a fire company in Philadelphia; the invention of the 'Franklin stove,' an efficient wood-burning stove; his observations on fire retardant construction methods seen in Paris, France; and his involvement in the establishment of a fire insurance cooperative "The Philadelphia Contributionship" in Philadelphia. The pamphlet is interleaved with illustrations and portraits. It includes facsimiles of newspaper announcements.
More
Franklin and the University
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790, University of Pennsylvania.
Reprinted from the "Alumni register" of the University of Pennsylvania, of February and March, 1906, this article describes Benjamin Franklin's role as the "real founder" of the university, and as one of its important financial benefactors. Reprint includes Morris Jastrow's 'Frankliniana in the University Library.'
More
Frankliniana in the University library
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790, University of Pennsylvania -- Library
Reprinted from the "Alumni register" of the University of Pennsylvania, of February and March, 1906, this article consists of a numbered descriptive list of items in the university library that are related to Benjamin Franklin. The items include a painting, engravings, manuscripts, Franklin imprints, and related documents. Reprint includes J. G. Rosengarten's 'Franklin and the University.'
More
Narrative of the late massacres, in Lancaster County, of a number of Indians, friends of this province, by persons unknown : With some observations on the same.
Paxton boys, Conestoga Indians, Pennsylvania -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
Benjamin Franklin decries the recent massacre by the self-styled Paxton Boys of peaceful Native Americans belonging to the Conestoga tribe in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and the subsequent murder by mob action against those remaining Indians who had been taken to the county workhouse for protection. By contrast, he recounts examples of the "rite of hospitality" exercised on behalf of their enemies by ancient Greeks in Homer's Ulysses, by Muslim Moors under the Saracens, by native Africans in Guinea, and by Native Americans. Franklin also includes copies of proclamations by Governor John Penn against the outrage. The pamphlet concludes with calls for justice against the perpetrators.
More
Rare Book Room Construction Photographs
State Library of Pennsylvania, Assembly Collection (State Library of Pennsylvania)
A series of 20 photographs taken in December 2005 that show the state of construction in the new Rare Books and Special Collections area at the State Library of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA. (Please note: this is a 25.5 MB item and will take several minutes to download, especially on slower speed connections.)
More
Scenes from the life of Benjamin Franklin / by Louis A. Holman ; reproductions of paintings by Charles B. Mills in the Franklin Union, Boston. Boston : Small, Maynard & Company, 1916.
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Biographical sketches of Benjamin Franklin at various ages and stages in life. Includes Franklin as a boy, a printer, builder of forts, librarian, editor, scientist, patriot abroad and at home, diplomat in France and at his final homecoming. "The paintings which form the subject of this volume constitute the frieze in the entrance hall of the Franklin Union Building on Berkeley Street in Franklin's native town, Boston" (Preface, p. xi). Each chapter gives a short historical narrative of the setting, followed by specific comments on each painting.
More