Was benjamin franklin gay

“Perhaps the most accomplished, charismatic, and internationally renowned of all the Founding Fathers, the serial philanderer Benjamin Franklin may not have been gay himself but he. 9. Ben Franklin The charismatic Founding Father may not have been gay himself but showed tremendous empathy for homosexuals of the time.

Benjamin Franklin, who recommended von Steuben to Washington, played up his qualifications. He also downplayed rumors that the baron had been dismissed from the Prussian military for. Benjamin Franklin This Founding Father showed empathy for LGBT people ahead of his time. While serving as ambassador to France, it was Franklin who enlisted Baron Friedrich von Steuben (as mentioned above) as a military strategist in the Continental Army, knowing full well about his sexuality.

Long before the modern sex columnist, there was Benjamin Franklin.

Benjamin Franklin, who recommended von Steuben

In a column from titled “Advice on the Choice of a Mistress,” Franklin advised bachelors to seek out older women: They. There is no more fascinating character among the Founding Fathers than Benjamin Franklin. An intellectual powerhouse credited with an extraordinary number of inventions and writings, he also was one of the three most pivotal players in the solidifying of the new colonial government, along with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Franklin was also a statesman, having been Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly and of Pennsylvania—a position equivalent to governor, today. Franklin was also known as the great communicator among the major players in the colonial era. His joie de vivre and sense of humor ingratiated him with everyone, which is why he became the primary diplomat from the colonies, an ambassador to the French and Prussian courts and U.

In each capacity he negotiated treaties and opened communication between supporters in Europe and the colonies. In June , rumors of homosexual activity had forced von Steuben to resign his role as chamberlain to Prince Joseph Friedrich Wilhelm of Hohenzollern-Hechige, in southern Germany. Von Steuben travelled to Paris—some say fled—seeking a position in the French army or the Continental Army, through American military representatives like Franklin.

Washington had sought a military strategist, but had insisted on someone who spoke fluent English. Von Steuben spoke German and French and very little English, so Franklin was initially leary of recommending him to Washington. George Middleton—online at WindyCityTimes. Skip to content. Home » Benjamin Franklin: Writer, inventor statesman and friend to gays. Make a difference right now.

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