In 1776 he is sent to France to solicit French aid in the American conflict.
William remains a Royalist and father and son irrevocably split. As the Revolution erupts Franklin is made Postmaster and has to devise a route to include Canada. During his second stint in London Deborah dies, and he does not return though William begs him. He suffers a humiliating defeat in the Cockpit of the King's court, and in later years will wear the same suit when he triumphantly brings about the French treaty. Through most of the discussions he seeks to gain for the colonies equal standing in Britain, though eventually it becomes clear the only course of action is for the colonies to break with the Empire. He is sent to discuss taxation, and will return in 1771 to discuss similar issues, including Britain treating the colonists as second-class citizens. Franklin is sent to London to argue against the Proprietors in 1757. He forms casual relationships easily, especially with women, but has difficulty maintaining long-term meaningful male relationships, including with his son William. He obtains international fame with his invention of the lightening rod, ending the threat from lightening and the fear of its supernatural powers. He is elected a member of the Assembly and retires as a printer to focus on other interests. Franklin is civic-minded and dislikes the Penn Family's Proprietorship. Franklin has three children: William, a bastard, Frances, who dies from smallpox, and Sally. He wasisvery interested in public works and creates a list of moral traits he tries to incorporate into his everyday life. In Philadelphia he works as a printer and forms the Junto, a collective of intellectuals. After a brief trip to London where he expels his boyish immaturities, he returns to Philadelphia and marries Deborah Read. He meets another printer on his journey who recommends Philadelphia, which becomes Franklin's home. He outshines his brother James the printer, to whom he is apprenticed, and James' jealousy over Benjamin's talent causes him to run away to New York.
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life is an account of the deeds of founding father Benjamin Franklin from his humble beginnings as the apprentice of a printer to his international status as wise sage and practical philosopher.
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