Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Printer, author, inventor, diplomat, philanthropist, statesman, and scientist. The eighteenth century's most illustrious Pennsylvanian built a house in Franklin Court starting in 1763, and here he lived the last five years of his life.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Benjamin Franklin, arguably the eighteenth century's most versatile American, built a fine brick house in this Philadelphia courtyard beginning in 1763. After decades abroad as a printer, diplomat, and revolutionary statesman, he returned to live his final five years here until his death in 1790. From this address the aging Franklin remained a fixture of the young nation's public life, corresponding, inventing, and advising to the last.
Why it matters
Franklin Court was the home of a founder who helped shape American science, print culture, and independence itself, making it one of the touchstones of the nation's founding era.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- National Liberty Museumnearby · 321 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
- Science History Institutenearby · 315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- New Hall Military Museumnearby · Philadelphia
- Benjamin Franklin Museumnearby
- Museum of the American Revolutionnearby · 101 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fragments of Franklin Courtnearby
Attractions
- Carpenters' Hallnearby · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- First Bank of the United Statesnearby · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Second Bank of the United Statesnearby · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- City Tavern0.2 mi away · 138 South 2nd Street
- Liberty Bell0.2 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- President's House0.2 mi away
Food & drink
- Buddakannearby · 325 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Olivier Cafenearby · 50 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Franklin Socialnearby · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- National Mechanicsnearby · 22 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia
- Menagerie Coffeenearby · 18 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Forknearby · 306 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotelnearby · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotelnearby · 237 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels Philadelphianearby · 32 South Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostelsnearby · 33 Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thomas Bond House0.2 mi away · 129 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia
- The Philadelphia House0.2 mi away · 17 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · Benjamin Franklin
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
The Philadelphia Contributionship
Philadelphia, PA · est. 1954
Founded in 1752 by Benjamin Franklin and a group of his fellow citizens, the Philadelphia Contributionship was the oldest fire insurance company in America, pooling members' risk to protect their houses against loss by fire. Born of Franklin's practical genius for civic improvement, it turned mutual cooperation into a lasting institution in a city all too familiar with the threat of flames.
John Nepomuk Maelzel (1772-1838)
Philadelphia, PA · est. 2004
In the 1820s Johann Nepomuk Maelzel brought his traveling wonders to a Philadelphia exhibition hall, chief among them the Automaton Chess Player known as "The Turk," a mechanical marvel that appeared to play chess against all comers. A German-born inventor and showman, Maelzel is also credited with popularizing the metronome and crafting ear trumpets for the deaf Beethoven. His hall drew crowds eager to puzzle over the boundary between machine and illusion.
Philip Syng, Jr. (1703-1789)
Philadelphia, PA · est. 2003
Master silversmith Philip Syng, Jr. crafted the elegant silver inkstand that sat on the table at Independence Hall, used to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. A close collaborator of Benjamin Franklin, he joined in Franklin's famous experiments with electricity and helped found civic institutions including the American Philosophical Society. His artistry and curiosity placed him at the heart of Philadelphia's revolutionary and scientific circles.
Lorenzo L. Langstroth (1810-1895)
Philadelphia, PA · est. 2010
Born on this spot, Lorenzo L. Langstroth transformed beekeeping with his 1852 patented movable-frame hive, whose precise "bee space" let keepers inspect and harvest without destroying the colony. His widely read manual, The Hive and the Honey-Bee, spread the method around the globe. Both the hive design and the book remain in use, earning him the title "father of modern beekeeping."