Seasoned to the Country: Slavery in the life of Benjamin Franklin: Slavery in the life of Benjamin Franklin

by Marilyn Wise

"Seasoned to the Country" brings together the details of slavery in the life of one of the most famous founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin. Franklin started life as a poor boy, receiving only two years of education before starting to work at age ten. When he opened his print shop, he hired an indentured servant, and advertised slaves for sale and runaway servants and slaves for capture. After he became married, he adopted the local practice of relying on slave labor in his home. By the end of his life, Franklin contributed funds to establish the first all-black church in Pennsylvania, and established a loan program for young businessmen, which was not limited to whites. The story of Franklin's struggle with slavery illuminates the national character, and provides a good comparison with Southern political leaders in the colonial period.

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2013