Benjamin Franklin Trivia

1. What was Benjamin Franklin's father's name?

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin Facts

Answer: Josiah

Ben Franklin's father Josiah Franklin (1657-1745) was a tallow chandler and he became the father of seventeen children, Benjamin was the fifteenth. A tallow chandler is someone who makes wax-based products.

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin: The Original American Idol

Answer: Boston

At the time of Franklin's birth, Great Britain and her colonies went by the Julian calendar, which differed by eleven days with the Gregorian calendar of today, as well as the designation of March 25 as New Year's Day. Thus, when England switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1752, Franklin's date of birth changed from January 6, 1705, to January 17, 1706.

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin Facts

Answer: 1706

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706 and died April 17, 1790 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, living a total of eighty-four years.

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin: The Original American Idol

Answer: Rolls of bread

In his 'Autobiography', Franklin states that, upon arriving in Philadelphia from Boston, he was walking the streets of the Quaker town in clothes he had been wearing for sometime, with his pockets full of his shirts and stockings, looking for a place to stay and a meal to eat. Purchasing three huge rolls from a baker, he proceeded down Market Street, eating one roll while carrying the others under each arm. It was then, according to Franklin, that while "passing by the door of Mr. Read," Deborah, who was standing at the door, "saw me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward, ridiculous appearance."

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin Facts

Answer: Frank Smith

Benjamin Franklin used the alias Richard Saunders when he wrote "Poor Richard's Almanack", and Silence Dogood when he secretly wrote for his brother's newspaper. He also used Polly Baker in a story written as a protest of the unfair judicial system, in the story a woman was put on trial for having a illegitimate child while the father got of innocent.

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin: The Original American Idol

Answer: His son, William

Franklin's use of kite and key in a thunderstorm came about as a result of his impatience to test his theory that lightning, then as now, a dangerous and deadly natural element, could be somewhat tamed by the use of metal rods on top of buildings to attract the electrical charge away from church steeples and buildings. He had originally planned to use the steeple of Christ Church in Philadelphia upon completion of its construction, but grew tired of waiting.

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin Facts

Answer: Christ Church

Benjamin Franklin was buried with his wife in Christ Church cemetery, Philadelphia on April 21, 1790. Over twenty thousand mourners attended the funeral.

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin: The Original American Idol

Answer: New Jersey

The appointment came about when Franklin decided to return from London after serving as agent for Pennsylvania, where William served as his assistant. It was designed to be used as a way of swaying Franklin's sympathies to the British and away from the increasingly disloyal colonies. William later sided with the Loyalists during the Revolutionary War, eventually fleeing to England in 1782.

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin Facts

Answer: Turkey

Ben Franklin was not pleased about the nation's choice to to declare the eagle our national bird, in a letter written to his daughter he stated that the eagle was a thief and coward while the turkey was a much more brave and respectable bird.

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin Facts

Answer: 3

Benjamin Franklin had two sons: William who later became governor of New Jersey and Francis Folger who died of smallpox at a early age. He also had a daughter named Sarah who married Richard Bache.

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin Facts

Answer: New England Courant

Ben Franklin's brother James would not let Benjamin write for the "New England Courant" so he used the alias Silence Dogood and wrote many letters that shortly became very popular.

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin Facts

Answer: 8

Benjamin Franklin had eight grandchildren: William Temple who was the son of William Franklin, and Benjamin, William, Betsy, Louis, Deborah, Richard, and Sarah who were Franklin's daughter's, Sarah Baches', children.

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin Facts

Answer: His own personal fortune

After the Boston Tea Party (12/16/1773), Benjamin Franklin offered the British his personal fortune to pay for the spoiled tea if they would withdraw the harsh taxes, the British declined and responded by closing the Boston harbor.

From Quiz Benjamin Franklin: The Original American Idol

Answer: His walking stick

Bequeathing his crab-tree walking stick to Washington, Franklin wrote in his will, "To my friend, and the friend of mankind, General Washington. If it were a Sceptre, he has merited it, and would become it." The cane now resides in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

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