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The Loyal Son: The War in Ben Franklin’s House
  • Date: Tuesday, June 06, 2017
  • Time: 4:00 pm
  • Location: William G. McGowan Theater, Washington, DC

In The Loyal Son, award-winning historian Daniel Mark Epstein tells the story of a seldom discussed aspect of Franklin’s life: his complex and confounding relationship with his illegitimate son William. Franklin adopted the boy, raised him, educated him to be his aide, and the pair became inseparable. The outbreak of the American Revolution caused a split between father and son when William, who was Royal Governor of New Jersey, was imprisoned for treason, and his father, one of the foremost champions of independence, appeared to abandon him to his fate.

A book signing will follow the program. Purchase this book on the day of the event from the National Archives Store and receive a 15% discount (members get 20% off).

All public programs at the National Archives are free and streamed live online via the National Archives’ YouTube channel. Reservations are recommended; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors to the building will open 45 minutes prior to the start of the program. Use the Special Events entrance on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW. Click here for more information on getting to the National Archives and parking.

Live captioning will be available online and in the William G. McGowan Theater. If you require an alternative or additional accommodation for an event (such as a downloadable transcript or a sign language interpreter), please send an email to public.program@nara.gov or call 202.357.5000 in advance.