Is Benjamin Franklin A Freemason?

[MASON]

He is. And here are some proof of that from various websites resources.
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Benjamin Franklin  (1706-1790)  American Statesman, scientist, philosopher and author.  Born January 17, 1706 in Boston, Mass.  Apprenticed to his brother, James, a printer, when only 12, he left him five years later after disagreements, and settled in Philadelphia.  First employed as a printer, he became proprietor of a printing business and published The Pennsylvania Gazette, 1730-48 and gained wide recognition with his Poor Richard's Almanack, 1732-57.  In 1727 he organized the "Junto" club which became the American Philosophical Society, and in 1731 laid the foundations for a library which developed into the Philadelphia Public Library.    He was instrumental in improving the lighting of city streets, invented a heating stove about 1744 (which is still being made), and, became interested in electricity, tried his famous kite experiments in 1752.  In 1748 he sold his business to the foreman and retired to devote himself to public life.  In 1754 he was Pennsylvania's delegate to the Albany Congress and from 1757-62 was in England representing Pa. in efforts to enforce taxes on proprietary estates.  In 1766 he was called before the English House of Commons to explain colonial opposition to the Stamp Tax.  He returned to Philadelphia when the war became inevitable in 1775.  He was a member of the second Continental Congress of 1775 and was on the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence, being one of its signers.  In 1776 he was sent as one of a committee of three to negotiate a treaty with France.  He became immensely popular during his stay which lasted until 1785, during which time he was U.S. minister.  In 1781 he was named with Jay and Adams to negotiate peace with Great Britain and returned to Philadelphia in September 1785.  From 1785-87 he was president of the Pa. executive council.  In 1727 he organized the "Leathern Apron Club" as a secret society in Philadelphia (non-Masonic); and on December 8, 1730 printed an article in his paper pretending to reveal Masonic mysteries.  Two months later (Feb., 1731) he received his degrees in St. John's Lodge of Philadelphia and became active in its work from the very beginning.  He was secretary of the Lodge from 1735-38; elected junior grand warden of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania on June 24, 1732 and the grand master on June 24, 1734.  He was appointed provincial grand master (first native born) by Thomas Oxnard, of Boston on June 10, 1749.  He was deposed as provincial grand master by William Allen on March 13, 1750, but immediately appointed deputy grand master.  On March 12, 1752 he was named to a committee for building "the Free-Mason's Lodge" in Philadelphia and on June 24, 1755 took a prominent part in the dedication of the same as the first Masonic building in America.  In 1760 he was named provincial grand master of Philadelphia.  In 1734 he printed Anderson's Constitutions as Mason Book, which was the first Masonic book printed in America.  In 1759 he was a visitor to Lodge Saint David at Edinburgh, Scotland and on November 17, 1760 was present at the Grand Lodge of England, held at Crown & Anchor, London as "provincial grand master."  On April 7, 1778 he assisted in the initiation of Voltaire, in the Lodge of Nine Sisters in Paris, and affiliated with that Lodge the same year.  On November 28, 1778 he officiated at the Masonic funeral services held by that Lodge for Voltaire.  On May 21, 1779 we find him elected master of the Lodge of Nine Sisters.  He served as master for two years.  On July 7, 1782 he was a member of the Respectable Lodge de Saint Jean de Jerusalem and on April 24, 1785 was elected honorary master of the same.  He was also elected honorary member of the Loge des Bon Amis of Rouen, France in 1785.  He died April 17, 1790.

[MASON]

On the Death of Dr. Benjamin Franklin

THUS, some tall tree that long hath stood
The glory of its native wood,
By storms destroyed, or length of years,
Demands the tribute of our tears.

The pile, that took long time to raise,
To dust returns by slow decays:
But, when its destined years are o'er,
We must regret the loss the more.

So long accustomed to your aid,
The world laments your exit made;
So long befriended by your art,
Philosopher, 'tis hard to part!--

When monarchs tumble to the ground,
Successors easily are found:
But, matchless FRANKLIN ! what a few
Can hope to rival such as YOU,
Who seized from kings their sceptered pride,
And turned the lightning darts aside.

Philip Freneau (1752 - 1832)


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This is poetry that mattered in times when poetry was taken seriously, when writing hymns, anthems, marching songs, odes on important occasions, were honored by national and regional audiences. Philip Freneau's On the Death of Dr. Benjamin Franklin was published around 1790 and typifies this "cultural work" that poets tried to do from colonial times to the close of the nineteenth century where this was the kind of work expected of them. The high esteem and Benjamin Franklin's accomplishments of his day cannot set too high a value on in the early years of the United States. Though somewhat faded today, his deeds were sharp in the minds of Americans in 1790. To get an idea of what the poet was trying to do think about what Franklin had accomplished in his lifetime.

[MASON]

Benjamin Franklin

1706 -- 1790

Benjamin Franklin, age 84, the city of Philadelphia's greatest citizen of all time; printer, writer, artist, publisher, philosopher, scientist, inventor, soldier, diplomat, abolitionist, founder of a half-dozen Philadelphia institutions, influencer of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and more.

Benjamin Franklin was one of the most practical, prudent, dynamic, and influential men of his times. He left more than a legacy. He left a litany of legacies that more than two centuries later continue to benefit mankind and are destined to serve for posterity. Accordingly, "Franklin Legacy Society" is the appropriate name today for those persons whose caring will craft legacies for generations to come.

At 17, Ben left a printing apprenticeship in Boston and started his printing business in Philadelphia, published The Pennsylvania Gazette, and gained recognition with his Poor Richard's Almanack.

Through early years of his career he organized a literary club that evolved into the American Philosophical Society; laid foundations for what became the Philadelphia Library; initiated the first formal fire company; was instrumental in improving the lighting of city streets; invented the Franklin stove; and flew his famous kite. In 1748, he sold his business and turned to public life.

In public affairs at home and abroad, he forged lasting relationships, influenced decisions, and acted to shape the future. He was Pennsylvania's delegate to the Albany Congress in 1754 and then was in England for five years relative to the enforcement of taxes in Pennsylvania. In 1766, the House of Commons summoned him to England to explain colonial opposition to the Stamp Tax. When war was inevitable in 1775, he was in Philadelphia where, in due course, he was a member of the second Continental Congress, was on the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence and was one of its signers. He helped to negotiate a treaty with France and was sent to negotiate peace with Great Britain.

About a month after his 25th birthday, Franklin became a Mason, joining St. John's Lodge meeting at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. By the next year, he had drafted the lodge's bylaws and was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, then served his first term as the Grand Master in 1734, the same year that he published Anderson's The Constitution of the Free-Masons, the first Masonic book printed in America.

He was appointed Provincial Grand Master in 1749; then in organizational changes a year later, he was appointed Deputy Grand Master. He was on a committee to build the first Masonic building constructed in America, the "Free-Mason's Lodge" in Philadelphia, and took a prominent part in its dedication in 1755. In 1760 he was named Provincial Grand Master of Philadelphia.

As he traveled frequently on diplomatic missions, Brother Franklin visited lodges in England, Scotland and France. He became active with lodges in France: serving two years as Master of the Lodge of the Nine Sisters; as honorary Master of the Respectable Lodge de Saint Jean de Jerusalem; and an honorary member of the Loges des Bon Amis of Rouen.

Benjamin Franklin died quietly at 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, 1790. His legacies are with us today.

[naval]

i believe benjamin franklin was a freemason because when you take a look at his life style and his writings you would understand that...

I agree

[418]

i think so, he was freemason... he has accomplishments

[Eureka]

Brother Benjamin Franklin was an active Freemason, and over the years he became one of the familiar public faces of Freemasonry in the States.

If any readers are interested, there is a fine biography of Brother Benjamin by Walter Isaacson, called "Benjamin Franklin : An American Life". I especially liked the chapters detailing the Brother's early days. He was, then, only a publisher: a very successful and a very hard working one. A lot of really interesting stories there for the reader, I don't want to spoil the fun.

[418]

Dear Eureka,

he is my favorite mason, he was very hard working person that is true, i got friend from uk he was send sir benjamin of schedule and i want share it from here...
i hope you will enjoy it 

[MASON]

Consistent and impressing.

[AQUA]

Dear 418,
Thanks for share.Can you  send  back page .İt s  appear.Other way I use to mirror for read.
Best Regards.
AquA

[418]

Dear AQUA,

i cant send back page but i could send source of that link for be pm or mail, maybe you need mirror for read it 


Best regards,
418