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Benjamin Franklin and Inoculation

6m 09s

An African slave in Boston, Onesimus, introduced Cotton Mather to the concept of inoculation, which meant fewer deaths in a smallpox epidemic. Franklin was an early proponent of inoculation but when smallpox struck Philadelphia he and Deborah delayed inoculating their son. Franky contracted smallpox and died. This extended scene from BENJAMIN FRANKLIN includes bonus material not in the final film.

Corporate funding for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by David M. Rubenstein. Major funding was also provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine; University of Pennsylvania; Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; Kissick Family Foundation; Deborah and Jon Dawson; Diane and Hal Brierley; McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Cappy and Janie McGarr; Lavender Butterfly Fund; and Susan and Charles Shanor Charitable Trust.
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Extras
A visit to a school for Black children challenged Franklin’s racial prejudices.
As impasse threatened the Constitutional Convention, Franklin appealed for Compromise.
Late in life, Franklin petitioned Congress to end slavery in the United States.
Franklin and Adams frustrated each other in France with opposing approaches to diplomacy.
Franklin’s musical invention, the armonica, became a sensation in Europe.
Franklin’s first published essays were printed under a pseudonym—Silence Dogood.
The American Revolution tore families apart, including the Franklins.
Benjamin Franklin arrived in France, hoping to win French support for the Revolution.
This bonus scene features Benjamin Franklin House in London, his only surviving residence.
Franklin and Adams have to share a bedroom in a humorous scene not in the final film.
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