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Benjamin Franklin

(1706-1790), American statesman; signer of the Declaration of Independence

Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 8 portraits
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin's achievements as a statesman, diplomat and writer influenced the outcome of the American War of Independence (1775-83). He is recognised as Foundling Father of the United States of America, being the only person to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Peace Treaty in 1783 and the United States Constitution in 1787. The study of electricity was also a particular interest and he published Experiments and Observations on Electricity in 1751. In 1743 he co-founded The Philosophical Society (now know as the American Philosophical Society) in Philadelphia, which is regarded as the oldest learned society in the United States.

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Benjamin Franklin, by Jean Baptiste Nini - NPG 722

Benjamin Franklin

by Jean Baptiste Nini
cast terracotta medallion, 1777
On display in the Room 14 miniature case at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 722

Benjamin Franklin, after Joseph Siffred Duplessis - NPG 327

Benjamin Franklin

after Joseph Siffred Duplessis
oil on canvas, based on a work of 1783
NPG 327

Benjamin Franklin, by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, after Charles Nicolas Cochin - NPG D2369

Benjamin Franklin

by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, after Charles Nicolas Cochin
line engraving, 1777
NPG D2369

The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America, July 4th 1776, by Asher Brown Durand, after John Trumbull - NPG D1357

The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America, July 4th 1776

by Asher Brown Durand, after John Trumbull
line engraving, published 1820 (1786-1797)
NPG D1357

Benjamin Franklin, by Charles Turner, after Mason Chamberlin - NPG D2017

Benjamin Franklin

by Charles Turner, after Mason Chamberlin
mezzotint, 1840 or after
NPG D2017

Web image not currently available

Benjamin Franklin

by Justus Chevillet, after Joseph Siffred Duplessis
line engraving, 1778
NPG D19094

Web image not currently available

Benjamin Franklin

by Johann Elias Haid
mezzotint, 1778
NPG D19219

Web image not currently available

Benjamin Franklin

by Pierre Michel Alix, printed by Bechet, published by Marie Francois Drouhin, after Charles Amédée Philippe van Loo
etching and aquatint, circa 1790 (circa 1778)
NPG D47451

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