The Founding Father with ties to Handsworth.
Few people have had more of an impact on the world than Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin. Known for his work inspiring the creation of the United States, lesser known are Franklin’s ties to Birmingham. In the mid-18th Century, Birmingham was one of the World’s leading industrial cities and a global hub for inventors, scientists, and entrepreneurs.
Benjamin Franklin admired the group, who became known as The Lunar Society, and travelled to Birmingham a number of times to work with them. In July 1758 Franklin visited “to improve and increase Acquaintance among Persons of Influence”. Franklin later returned to Birmingham in 1760 to conduct experiments with Matthew Boulton on electricity and sound, staying at Boulton’s home in Handsworth, Soho House.
In 1765, Franklin introduced Boulton to Dr William Small and it was Dr Small who first showed James Watt around the Soho factory in 1767. Boulton and Watt would later go on to develop the steam engine for use in industry and transport.
Franklin remained in contact with members The Lunar Society although never returning. His impact would be felt on the world as he took teachings from the group into the founding of the United States.
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Read more of our blogs on Birmingham's historic sites, including the history of Dudley Castle, history of Birmingham's Gun Quarter & Gandhi's visit to the second city.