The Travels of Benjamin Franklin
Location
Leu Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) 117
Presentation Type
Presentation
Start Date
14-11-2007 10:00 AM
Description
Though not as famous as his roles as electrical experimenter, international diplomat, or founding father; Franklin's involvement in travel writing was one of his true joys. Franklin was one of the most-traveled people in America, having traveled up and down the American colonies scouting postal routes; making eight ocean crossings during his lifetime; and visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Holland, and other places in Europe. Of these experiences he wrote in one letter: "Travelling is one Way of lengthening Life, at least in Appearance. It is but a Fortnight since we left London; but the Variety of Scenes we have gone through makes it seem equal to Six Months living in one Place. Perhaps I have suffered a greater Change too in my own Person than I could have done in Six Years at home." From his own journeys, he left us many travelogues in the forms of journals, letters, and even travel hoaxes; Franklin also read and corresponded frequently with the great naturalists and travel writers of his day.
Recommended Citation
Curtis, David, "The Travels of Benjamin Franklin" (2007). Humanities Symposium. 13.
https://repository.belmont.edu/humanities_symposium/2007/2007/13
The Travels of Benjamin Franklin
Leu Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) 117
Though not as famous as his roles as electrical experimenter, international diplomat, or founding father; Franklin's involvement in travel writing was one of his true joys. Franklin was one of the most-traveled people in America, having traveled up and down the American colonies scouting postal routes; making eight ocean crossings during his lifetime; and visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Holland, and other places in Europe. Of these experiences he wrote in one letter: "Travelling is one Way of lengthening Life, at least in Appearance. It is but a Fortnight since we left London; but the Variety of Scenes we have gone through makes it seem equal to Six Months living in one Place. Perhaps I have suffered a greater Change too in my own Person than I could have done in Six Years at home." From his own journeys, he left us many travelogues in the forms of journals, letters, and even travel hoaxes; Franklin also read and corresponded frequently with the great naturalists and travel writers of his day.
Comments
Convo (AL)