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- "As I have stated previously, I believe we need a national union, granted by an act of Parliament but bringing greater independence to our colonies. The French are an immediate threat and we are ill-prepared to face them. To put it bluntly, the colonies must join, or die."
- ―Benjamin Franklin at the Albany Congress, 1754.[src]-[m]
Benjamin "Ben" Franklin (1706 – 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, he was a leading author, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, civic activist, and diplomat. As a Patriot, he played a pivotal role in the American Revolution which established the United States of America and acted as a crucial diplomat for the fledgling nation.
Franklin was acquainted with Assassins and Templars alike in the colonies, including the Colonial Templars' Grand Master Haytham Kenway, the Colonial Assassin Hope Jensen, and the Assassin defector Shay Cormac. On occasions, he assisted the Assassins and Templars but did not always realize the greater powers and conspiracies involved with his friendships.
Biography
Early life
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1706, the tenth son of the soap-maker[1] Josiah Franklin and his wife Abiah Folger.[2] He began working as an apprentice printer for his older brother[1] James in 1718.[3] Their relationship was rocky, particularly after Franklin's brother found out that he had been writing for the paper under the pseudonym of "Mrs. Silence Dogood" and had amassed a large following due to its popularity.[1][3]
Franklin ran away in 1723 and headed for Philadelphia, which became his primary residence for the rest of his life. In 1725, he visited the Royal Society of London in order to conduct scientific experiments, and upon his return to the colonies, established the Junto, a club for discussion of current issues and one of the colonies' first subscription libraries.[4]
Franklin also continued his career in printing and writing, eventually becoming the publisher of the Pennsylvania Gazette. His yearly almanac, Poor Richard's Almanack, became a bestselling success.[1] Over a decade later, he began experimenting with electricity, leading to his invention of devices such as the capacitor and Leyden jar.[4]
French and Indian War
Franklin speaking at the Albany Congress
In July 1754, Franklin attended the Albany Congress to discuss ending tensions with the Iroquois and defending the colonies against the French. He proposed a unified government to better organize the colonies and drew a cartoon, "Join, or Die", depicting the colonies as a snake cut into eight parts.[5] The delegates accepted the proposal at the conference, but the colonies' legislatures and the British Board of Trade rejected the idea.[6]
Later, Franklin was tasked by the Templar William Johnson to study the Precursor box and the Voynich manuscript while remaining unaware of Johnson's actual allegiance. However, the Assassin Shay Cormac intervened, taking possession of the box and the manuscript.[5] He and fellow Assassin Hope Jensen then traveled to Sleepy Hollow, where they manipulated Franklin into assisting the Assassins in their search for the whereabouts of a Piece of Eden.[7]
Franklin, believing the two Assassins were Johnson's affiliates, agreed and was successful in locating the artifact by electrifying the box with lightning, though he was briefly knocked unconscious in the process. Hope then helped him evade the local militia, who had been alerted to the fact that Shay had stolen confiscated lightning rods from them.[7]
Franklin meeting Haytham Kenway and Charles Lee
A few days later, Franklin arrived in Boston, where copies of his first almanac were stolen. The Templar Grand Master Haytham Kenway noticed his distress and offered a lending hand. Franklin was surprised but pleased—being unaware of the stranger's background—as those living in the colonial city usually refused to be of any help, and correctly assumed that he was new to Boston.[8]
Franklin then requested that Haytham assist him with the task of finding his Almanac's other missing pages if he had the time.[8] The Grand Master eventually found all of the missing pages from a newly-printed first volume that collected some of Franklin's 1733 writings,[9] earning him Franklin's gratitude and £500.[10]
Later on, Franklin met Haytham at the local general store and recited an excerpt of his treatise "Advice to a Friend on Choosing a Mistress" on the benefits of having an older woman as a lover, much to Haytham's amusement. They met again another time, where Franklin explained the isolation he felt after the Albany Conference, as friends sought to distance themselves from his cartoon. He thanked Haytham for speaking with him and began expressing his belief that the thirteen colonies should be independent from the British Crown, which greatly intrigued Haytham.[10]
Franklin handing the prototype grenade launcher to Shay Cormac
For the next few years, Franklin continued to work with Hope, and by 1756, had begun producing chemical weapons, grenades, poisonous gases, and more.[11] Shay, who by then had defected to the Templars,[12] was informed by his superior George Monro that the Assassins planned to use these against colonial Loyalists who supported the British crown and the authorities of New York.[11]
Determined to avert this supposed terrorist plot, Shay infiltrated Franklin's residence, where the scientist was tricked into giving him the prototype grenade launcher he had been working on under the mistaken belief that Shay was still a friend of Hope. Afterwards, Shay used the grenade launcher to destroy the poison reserves.[11]
In 1757, Franklin went to London to represent Pennsylvania in an ongoing legal battle with William Penn's family. It was the first of several extended political trips to Britain, and he would act as the state representative for Massachusetts, Georgia, and New Jersey.[1]
American Revolution
Franklin at the signing of the Declaration of Independence
Franklin was a vocal opponent of British impositions on the colonies, like the Stamp Act, and though he fought for the rights of colonists as British citizens, he became convinced that independence was the only real solution.[1] Unfortunately, Franklin's change of heart made him clash with his son William, the Royal Governor of New Jersey. The younger Franklin remained a fervent Loyalist and the coming revolution would ensure that the father and son would never speak to one another ever again.[1]
In the meantime, Franklin contributed to the writing of the Declaration of Independence, which was primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson. On 4 July 1776, Franklin was present alongside Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Adams' ally Ratonhnhaké:ton, where he signed the Declaration right after Hancock.[13]
American Ambassador to France
- Shay: " I need to meet... a business acquaintance. I heard he would be at the Château de Versailles, two days from now."
- Franklin: "And they don't just let anyone inside the royal palace. Very well. I'll see what can be arranged."
- —Shay requesting a favor from Franklin after saving him, 1776.[src]-[m]
Franklin agreeing to help Shay
For the rest of the American Revolutionary War, Franklin lived in Paris as America's ambassador to France from 1776 to 1785.[1] In December 1776, he was hunted by local criminals,[14] before being saved by Shay, who was also in the city at the time. Franklin informed Shay about his invitation to the Palace of Versailles, to which Shay requested a favor in return: to gain entry to the palace for him as well. Franklin agreed, still not realizing Shay's allegiance after all these years,[15] and was able to get the Templar inside.[16]
During his time in France, Franklin also interacted with a young Arno Dorian during his childhood, and became acquainted with the French Assassins' Mentor Mirabeau. He eventually passed away on 17 April 1790 at the age of 84.[17]
Alternate timeline
In an alternate reality created by an Apple of Eden, Washington had used the artifact to gain control over the United States and proclaim himself king. He then put Franklin in charge of running Boston and stamping out the rebels led by Samuel Adams.[18] He also had Franklin build a special lock for the throne room for his palace in New York City. Under the Apple's control, Franklin oversaw John Adams' execution and the burning of the Old North Church.[19]
Franklin with King Washington and General Putnam
When Ratonhnhaké:ton assassinated Benedict Arnold, the general told him he had to find Franklin and free him of the king's control.[20] After Israel Putnam captured the Assassin, he brought him to Boston as a gift so the king would replace Franklin with him. Franklin came to have a look and tried to regain favor by revealing he had captured another Kanien'kehá:ka rebel, Kanen'tó:kon. The king ordered the two rebels to be executed alongside a score of random civilians as an example. When Franklin deemed it to be rather harsh, the king reminded Franklin of his place, then later informed Putnam that he found Franklin to be going soft.[18]
However, the Kanien'kehá:ka duo escaped from their cells, and Franklin ordered his guards to find and kill them, fearing Washington would execute him if they escaped. Kanen'tó:kon fended off the guards while Ratonhnhaké:ton pursued Franklin. The governor used a merchandise lift to escape onto the rooftops, but Ratonhnhaké:ton transformed into an eagle and tackled him.[21]
Ratonhnhaké:ton and Adams discussing the captive Franklin's fate
Injured, Franklin roused from Washington's control, but the king teleported in and fought off the Assassin, thereby maintaining his grip on Franklin.[22] Ratonhnhaké:ton did not give up, intercepting a message from Franklin to Putnam to meet at the docks. At the docks, Ratonhnhaké:ton watched Franklin meet with Putnam's messenger, who informed him the king had placed Putnam in charge of Boston.[23]
The Assassin began loosing arrows to capture Franklin, hitting him in non-fatal areas like the shoulder, injuries which again broke Washington's power over his mind. Franklin told Ratonhnhaké:ton he regretted what he did under the king's control, so the Assassin took him to Samuel Adams' hideout.[23] Adams disbelieved Franklin, but Ratonhnhaké:ton convinced him to spare Franklin based on the information he could give the resistance. Franklin revealed he had created a means of protecting Washington's palace, and asked Ratonhnhaké:ton to collect a unique metal from the blacksmith David Walston.[19]
Ratonhnhaké:ton returned with a horse, revealing David had used his supply for horseshoes, which Franklin had to pry off with a crowbar.[19] He then sent Ratonhnhaké:ton to recover his plans for the key from a soldier. However, when Ratonhnhaké:ton returned with the diagram, he also brought the grave news that Adams and his rebels had been slaughtered by Putnam at Boston Neck.[24]
Franklin disguised as a Bluecoat
Ratonhnhaké:ton stated they would have to leave Boston by sea, and Franklin suggested using the Aquila, a ship he had confiscated from Robert Faulkner. Ratonhnhaké:ton stole a Bluecoat uniform for Franklin to pass through the streets unnoticed to meet Faulkner, whom they promised they would return his ship if they found a crew.[25] The following morning, the rebels escaped on the Aquila after Ratonhnhaké:ton assassinated Putnam.[26]
When they arrived in New York, the Aquila engaged and destroyed much of Washington's fleet, causing her to run out of gunpowder; Ratonhnhaké:ton ordered everyone on board to swim to shore while he rammed the ship. When Franklin came ashore, he was confronted by Washington, who tried to kill him for his betrayal. Kanen'tó:kon attacked the king, ultimately dying so Franklin could escape.[27] When Ratonhnhaké:ton arrived, Franklin informed him of what happened. Angered, the Assassin drank the tea of the Red Willow tree to undergo a spirit journey, and asked Franklin to watch over his body. When he awoke, having gained the power of the bear, Franklin noticed the Assassin's eyes had turned an unusual blue.[28]
Franklin, Jefferson, and Ratonhnhaké:ton during the attack on the Pyramid
The two subsequently rendezvoused with Thomas Jefferson's rebels.[29] While Ratonhnhaké:ton stirred unrest in the city, Franklin suggested watching a rally Washington was giving to get a sense of how large his forces were.[30] Ratonhnhaké:ton's work soon paid off, turning the citizens on the king's men, scattering his forces across the city, and allowing Jefferson's soldiers to attack the palace. Jefferson and Franklin met with Ratonhnhaké:ton before he entered the palace gates, where Franklin gave him the key to open the throne room.[31]
Legacy
Franklin was an inventor and scientist. He is best known for flying a kite with a metal key attached to the bottom through storm clouds, to see if he could pick up an electrical charge and thereby prove lightning was electricity.[32][3]
He invented the Franklin stove, a metal fireplace that could be placed in the middle of a room, rather than outside. Its efficiency displayed itself in that it could use a quarter of the wood of a traditional fireplace, but gave off twice as much heat. This stove also had a much smaller chance of giving off a spark that would start a fire. Despite its ingenuity, Franklin decided not to patent the stove, as he wanted people to use his invention free of charge. This did not stop others from profiting with modified versions of the device, however.[33]
He also introduced the busybody, a set of three mirrors hung from a second floor window, based on a similar design he saw in Europe. These mirrors were angled so that people could look out to see who was knocking at their front door—a difficult prospect in parts of Philadelphia, where the buildings were high and narrow.[34]
From there, he created the glass armonica, a musical instrument consisting of bowls stacked together, which a person could use a treadle to turn and 'play' by running a wet finger along the turning edges of the bowls. He came up with this idea after seeing someone 'play' water-filled wine glasses at a show in London. The armonica debuted in London in 1762 and became quite popular for a time, particularly in Germany;[35] the Austro-German composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart later wrote two pieces for it in 1791, "Adagio and Rondo" and "Adagio in C major (K. 356)".[36] However, its success was short-lived, because there was no way to amplify it to be heard in large concert halls at the time.[35]
Ratonhnhaké:ton crafted these inventions and the kite and key in a room at the Davenport Homestead after locating the stolen almanac pages. In a separate room, he kept copies of Poor Richard's Almanack.[6]
Behind the scenes
Benjamin Franklin is a historical figure introduced in the 2012 video game Assassin's Creed III, where he was voiced by the Canadian actor Rick Jones. Rick later reprised his role in the following downloadable expansion The Tyranny of King Washington, and again in the 2014 game Assassin's Creed: Rogue. Franklin is briefly heard, although he is not seen, in an early sequence from the 2014 game Assassin's Creed: Unity, where he is instead voiced by another Canadian, Tony Robinow.
In The Tyranny of King Washington, Franklin's main outfit looks similar to the outfit worn by François-Joseph Paul de Grasse.
In Juhani Otso Berg's office during Assassin's Creed: Rogue, Benjamin Franklin's picture appears alongside the Assassins despite him never revealed to be a member of the Assassin Brotherhood.
In Assassin's Creed III, Franklin is shown meeting Haytham immediately after the latter's arrival in Boston on 8 July 1754, but according to both historical records and Rogue, he was attending the Albany Congress at the time, and forwarded his Albany Plan on 10 July. For the sake of simplicity, the Assassin's Creed Wiki assumes that, in the games' universe, Franklin forwarded the Albany Plan earlier than he did in real-life, allowing him to be in Boston a few days later to meet Haytham.
Gallery
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed III (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Rogue
- Assassin's Creed: Unity (voice only)
- Assassin's Creed Unity: Abstergo Entertainment – Employee Handbook
- Assassin's Creed: Underworld (mentioned only)
- Echoes of History (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR (mentioned in Database entry only)
References
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