William Franklin, son of Benjamin Franklin yet loyal servant of the British king during the American Revolution, lived a tumultuous life. His journey from familial devotion to political defiance offers a compelling study in divided loyalties during the American Revolution. Born into privilege as the son of one of America’s greatest statesmen, William’s early life mirrored his father’s ambitions. A skilled lawyer and colonial governor of New Jersey, he shared Benjamin Franklin’s commitment to public service—until the winds of rebellion began to blow.
As the American colonies clamored for independence, William’s steadfast loyalty to the British Crown put him at odds with his revolutionary father. University of Maryland historian Richard Bell explores the stark contrast between Benjamin’s ideals of liberty and William’s unwavering belief in the stability of monarchy, creating a moving portrait of personal and political estrangement.
This story unfolds with rich anecdotes, from William’s imprisonment by angry revolutionaries during the war to his life in exile in England, where he continued to advocate for the Crown even as his father helped shape a new nation. Bell explores how this familial rift symbolized the broader conflict of divided loyalties in a revolutionary age, using William Franklin’s extraordinary story to underscore the personal sacrifices that often accompany great historical upheavals.
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