American Innovator: the life of Benjamin Franklin
2006 marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin,
printer, innovator, scientist, American patriot and diplomat. This small
display celebrates Franklin's life and long connection with letters,
London and science, his work as a printer, his role in the
Enlightenment's 'Republic of Letters' and the dramatic birth of the
American Republic. It showcases several unique Franklin items that he
either printed or wrote by hand, including a book printed by Franklin
during his first visit to London in 1725 at the age of 19 and a letter
written to one of the founders of the British Museum's collections, Sir
Hans Sloane, offering a 'salamander' purse - a bag made of asbestos now
held by the Natural History Museum. A lecture on Franklin's musical
invention, the Glass Armonica, and performance of Mozart's Quintet K. 617
for armonica, flute, oboe, viola and cello will take place on 2 May 2006.
In the Entrance Hall at the British Library, St Pancras 8 April - 5 July
2006.
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