General

Benjamin Rush (1746–1813) was a Founding Father, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a social reformer, educator, and college founder. When describing his contributions to the Revolutionary War, he simply remarked: “I aimed well.” Widely considered the father...

“Doctor, what have we got: A republic or a monarchy?” Ben Franklin replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Christ Church was founded in 1695 by members of the Church of England. It was small, and wooden, and you could place your palm on the ceiling. Fifty years...

In 1728, at age twenty-two, Ben Franklin, freshly returned to his  chosen home of Philadelphia, wrote a mocking epitaph for himself: “The Body of B. Franklin, Printer; like the Cover of an old Book, Its  Contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies...