This program will be available for sale to the general public starting on December 7, 2024.Want to register before then? Become a donor today, or if you are already a donor, log in to register for this program. Ben Franklin the Scientist Evening Lecture/Seminar Monday, February 10, 2025 - 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET Code: 1J0433 Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Select your Registration $20 Member $25 Non-Member Resize text Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky by Benjamin West, 1816 (Philadelphia Museum of Art) Benjamin Franklin was one of the preeminent scientists of his time. He conducted cutting-edge research on electricity, heat, ocean currents, weather patterns, chemical bonds, and plants. But today Franklin is often remembered more for his political prowess and diplomatic achievements than his scientific creativity. Drawing on his new book, author Richard Munson examines this vital part of Franklin’s story, reveals his modern relevance, and offers a compelling portrait of a shrewd experimenter, clever innovator, and visionary physicist whose fame opened doors to negotiate French support and funding for American independence. Munson explores how science underpins Franklin’s entire story from tradesman to inventor to one of the Founding Fathers and argues that Franklin’s political life cannot be understood without giving proper credit to his scientific accomplishments. Munson’s book Ingenious: A Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist (W.W. Norton) is available for purchase. Book Sale Information Purchase your copy of Ingenious: A Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist by Richard Munson here. SPECIAL NOTE: Politics and Prose is offering a 10% discount to Smithsonian Associates ticket-holders. To claim your discount, enter the code SPECIAL10 (no space between letters and numbers) in the “Coupon discount” or “Comments” section on Politics and Prose's check-out page. General Information View Common FAQs and Policies about our Online Programs on Zoom.
