Bartleby
Bartleby.com: Cambridge History of Eng and Am Lit: Colonial Newspapers
Describes the writing style and content found in Colonial newspapers during the first half of the 1700s. Clicking on the link at the bottom of each page will take you to information about individual newspapers and journalists.
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg: Audio Books
A special subcollection of Project Gutenberg's online book catalog: audio books, recorded by real people (there is also a computer-generated audio books collection). Currently includes 35 or so selections ranging from fairy tales,...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Spirit of Nationalism: Benjamin Franklin
This is a brief biography of businessman, politician, scientist, and author Benjamin Franklin. Click "Benjamin Franklin Activities" for related materials.
Other
Library Company of Philadelphia: Benjamin Franklin: Writer and Printer
An extensive exhibition of Benjamin Franklin work as a printer and as a writer, with comprehensive coverage of the Pennsylvania Gazette and Poor Richard's Almanack.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: Benjamin Franklin's Satire of Witch Hunting
Lesson uses primary resource to explore Benjamin Franklin's satire of a witch trial and his argument that human affairs should be guided, above all, by reason.
Other
Flickr: The Lives and Times of the Hell Fire Club
A article on the Hell-Fire club, its history, what they did, and the people involved with it, including possibly Benjamin Franklin. Published in BEYOND magazine in 2008.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Electric Ben Franklin
If it has to do with Benjamin Franklin, then you will probably find it here. There is much information about Franklin, his lightning experiment, Philadelphia, the Declaration, and more.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: American Literature and Composition: Rationalism
This is an introduction to a unit on Rationalism, also known as The Age of Reason or Enlightenment, was set during the American Revolutionary period. It focuses on the belief that the power of reason and science would further human...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning:american Literature and Comp:rationalism: Benjamin Franklin
This lesson focuses on Benjamin Franklin's life by providing background information about Franklin including his apprentice to his brother, his "Silence Dogood" column, his autobiograpy, "Poor Richard's Almanack," and his political...
US Department of State
U.s. Department of State: Albany Plan of Union, 1754
Learn all about the Albany Plan of Union from this article from the U.S. Department of State. Find out why it was proposed, what the plan would provide for, and the results.
US National Archives
National Archives and Records Administration: Founders Online
This site provides the texts of nearly 200,000 historical documents related to six Founding Fathers, including the papers of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. The...
US National Archives
National Archives: Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat
Benjamin Franklin was the only man to help shape all the major documents that established the United States. Students will review those documents and match the correct document to its description. Upon completion, students will choose...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Weather Alert
Students discuss the characteristics of storms, including the relationship of weather fronts and storms. Using simple materials, the students develop a model of a simple lightning detection system and analyze their model to determine its...
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania Libraries: Penn in the Age of Franklin, 1740 90
In celebration of the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth, the Penn Library and University Archives offers a look at the university as it was during Franklin's lifetime. Content includes original documents and manuscripts, a...
Other
Benjamin Franklin Writer and Printer: Inventing Poor Richard
See pages from Poor Richard's Almanack over several years of its publication. Read about the contents of the almanacks Benjamin Franklin's comments about writing the yearly production.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Pennsylvania Colony: The Holy Experiment [Pdf]
In this lesson, 5th graders learn about the people who founded the Pennsylvania colony and the role that religion played in shaping it. Includes background information for the teacher. Students explore primary resource readings on the...
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Benjamin Franklin: Colonial Printer and Journalist
This lesson looks at the early career of Benjamin Franklin and he contributed to the spread of literacy in America, as well as his public service record at that time. Students will examine and analyze primary source documents to...
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Six Important People From Our Nation's History
In this instructional activity, 5th graders examine the lives of six people who were important in early American history. They include Abigail and John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and George Washington....
US National Archives
Nara: Founding Fathers: Delegates to the Constitutional Convention
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides biographies of all 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
Other
S.f. Heart: Benjamin Franklin's Thirteen Virtues
Site lists Franklin's thirteen virtues with text. A short biography on Franklin is also included.
Other
Restoring the Heart and Soul of America
A collection of quotes from famous Americans including: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson. Click on each of their names to get quotes from them.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Benjamin Franklin
Information on the life of Benjamin Franklin, as a printer, librarian, inventor, and statesman. Includes a timeline.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography divided into four parts. Link to The Electric Franklin, a site full of fun graphics and interesting facts.
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: A History of Us Public Libraries
This exhibition tells the story of the American public library system, its community impact, and the librarians who made it possible from the founding of the first US libraries through the first one hundred years of service.