"Benjamin Franklin" is a two-part, four-hour film that follows Franklin's colorful and extremely consequential life, peering into the man behind the bifocals—getting to know him and his era. Directed and executive produced by Ken Burns, written by Dayton Duncan, and produced by David Schmidt and Ken Burns, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN is available for streaming HERE.

"Benjamin Franklin" explores the life and work of one of the most consequential figures in American history – a prolific writer and publisher, a groundbreaking scientist and inventor, a world-renowned diplomat and signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. 

Franklin, whose life has been celebrated as a quintessential American story, was anything but typical. His 84 years spanned nearly the entirety of the 18th century, an epoch of revolutionary change in science, technology, literature, politics and government – change that Franklin himself helped to advance. He launched the first public library in America, organized a volunteer fire company, and founded an academy that eventually became the University of Pennsylvania. His annual publication, "Poor Richard's Almanack," set a model for future humorists such as Mark Twain and contained maxims that are still part of our shared lexicon. And his famous experiments with electricity led to one of his most important inventions – the lightning rod. 

Episode 1: "Join or Die" (1706 – 1774)

Leaving behind his Boston childhood, Benjamin Franklin reinvents himself in Philadelphia where he builds a printing empire and a new life with his wife, Deborah. Turning to science, Franklin's lightning rod and experiments in electricity earn him worldwide fame. After entering politics, he spends years in London trying to keep Britain and America together as his own family starts to come apart.

Episode 2: "An American" (1775 – 1790)

Benjamin Franklin leaves London and returns to wartime Philadelphia where he joins Congress and helps Thomas Jefferson craft the Declaration of Independence. In Paris, he wins French support for the American Revolution then negotiates a peace treaty with Britain. He spends his last years in the new United States, working on the constitution and unsuccessfully promoting the abolition of slavery. 

Prior to the premiere of the documentary in April, viewers were invited to participate in “Conversations on Franklin: A Virtual Event Series” in which Ken Burns and special guests discuss Franklin’s life and share clips from the two-part series. If you missed any of the virtual events or want to revisit them, they're available to view on demand HERE.

For recommendations on additional reading about Benjamin Franklin, click HERE.

For educational resources for teachers, click HERE.

Corporate funding for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by David M. Rubenstein. Major funding was also provided by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by the Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine; University of Pennsylvania; Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; Kissick Family Foundation; Deborah and Jon Dawson; Diane and Hal Brierley; McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Cappy and Janie McGarr; Lavender Butterfly Fund; and Susan and Charles Shanor Charitable Trust. And by viewers like you.