Member-only story
Benjamin Franklin Wasn’t Main Declaration Of Independence Writer Because Of Fear He’d Fill It With Jokes
The Founding Father may have been one of the most talented writers of his time, but fear he’d make what was supposed to be a serious document too funny kept him from being its primary author
In addition to being an inventor, writer and statesman, early American leader Benjamin Franklin had a wry sense of humor and loved nothing more than a good bit of fun. Despite his pedigree, his jocularity contributed greatly to the other Founding Fathers preventing him from being the sole or primary author of the Declaration of Independence, as they were afraid he’d deviate from what was to be a serious and earnest document and slip in some jokes.
Born in Boston in 1706, Franklin moved to Philadelphia when he was a young man. His brilliance as a writer and scholar established his reputation and catapulted him into a well-known public figure. At various times during his public career, he served as the Postmaster General for British America, the first American Postmaster General, Minister to France and Sweden, and Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly.
