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Benjamin Franklin Wife / Spouse

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was a man of extraordinary transcendence in his country and also in the rest of the world as an example of freedom and democracy. Franklin was a politician who defended the freedom and independence of the United States, but he was also a polymath who excelled in various areas of knowledge such as science, physics and journalism. There were several factors that made it possible for Franklin to be the outstanding man he was and one of those determining factors was his wife, the British Deborah Read. Benjamin Franklin wife was the ideal partner for the politician to achieve everything he did.

The beginning of a love story

Beginning of love story

Benjamin Franklin met Deborah Read in Philadelphia when he was 18 and she was 17. The politician liked the beautiful woman as soon as he saw her and managed to start dating her. Franklin was a regular visitor to Deborah’s house and eventually the two fell in love. He proposed to her but her mother would not allow them to marry because they were too young. The polymath left for England for two years and lost contact with Deborah. During that period Deborah’s mother forced her to marry John Rogers, a potter. He acquired many debts and fled to the West Indies, where he was murdered. However, his death could never be confirmed. Deborah never saw Rogers again.

A complicated marriage

complicated marriage

Benjamin Franklin returned to Philadelphia and again asked Deborah to marry him, but she did not accept at first. She argued that she was not going to marry anyone until the death of her husband John Rogers was confirmed. Time passed and Rogers did not return and his death could not be confirmed.

Deborah finally agrees to marry Franklin. They were married on September 1, 1730 as a common-law marriage, since they did not have the religious or civil permissions to do so. However, the friends and family of the young couple supported their decision. Later, Benjamin Franklin wife exerted a powerful influence on the politician’s life.

Children

children holding hands

Benjamin Franklin and Deborah Read had two children, a boy, Francis and a girl, Sarah. Sadly Francis died at the age of 4 from smallpox. This tragedy devastated his parents psychologically. The politician suffered bitterly the death of his son but thanks to the love of his wife Deborah he was able to cope. Franklin focused on his many projects and continued to be a man of extraordinary success despite having experienced the worst loss a human being can experience. The politician had a son out of wedlock and took care of him in every way, counting on the unconditional support of his wife.

A perfect partner

perfect partner

Franklin ran a thriving family business that required a lot of time to develop. Deborah decided to take over the business so that her husband could focus exclusively on political activity, which was most important to Franklin. Deborah strived to be the ideal wife. Her goal was for Franklin to achieve everything he wanted in life. The politician’s great mission was to achieve freedom and independence for the United States. His wife realized all of this and supported Franklin so that he would feel fulfilled. Benjamin Franklin wife represented a motivational force in the politician’s life, someone he trusted completely.

His dark side

Benjamin Dark Side

Throughout history there were several documents that affirmed that Benjamin Franklin had a double life beyond his exemplary marriage. The politician frequented orgies that he carried out with several friends. They had relationships with mature prostitutes and always tried to be discreet about it, but everything ended up coming to light. Many suppose that Deborah, his wife, was aware of everything that was going on, but she preferred to ignore the matter because Franklin occupied too important a place in the development of the United States as a country and economic power. Benjamin Frankin wife prioritized her husband’s political career before her own claims as a partner.

Conclusion

Benjamin Franklin wife had a significant influence in the life of the polymath for him to reach his enormous achievements in politics, science, physics and other areas. Franklin is the great American super hero thanks to the temperance of this smart woman.

Summary:

Benjamin Franklin Spouse(s)Deborah Read
Benjamin Franklin ChildWilliam Franklin, Francis Folger Franklin, Sarah Franklin Bache

Read Also: Albert Einstein Wife.

Last modified: January 13, 2022
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