Benjamin Franklin was the renaissance man of eighteenth century America. His talents and interests were so varied, he is easy to write about but difficult to portray. In the link above he gives us a list of synonyms for inebriation, a condition common to his contemporaries. Some terms are still in use, some are recognizable, and many are almost meaningless to our ears, a quaint insight into period slang.

Here is a take on Franklin's biography

And here is another take on the elusive man.

Here is more information on the Drinkers Dictionary

Franklin invented Poor Richard as a pen name for his almanac.

Franklin's autobiography was published in 1793, after his death.

Back to the Attic