Benjamin Franklin and Inoculation

This extended scene from BENJAMIN FRANKLIN includes bonus material not in the final film.

An African slave in Boston, Onesimus, introduced Cotton Mather to the concept of inoculation, which meant fewer deaths in a smallpox epidemic. Franklin was an early proponent of inoculation but when smallpox struck Philadelphia he and Deborah delayed inoculating their son. Franky contracted smallpox and died. This extended scene from BENJAMIN FRANKLIN includes bonus material not in the final film.

AIR DATE 4/4/22

Benjamin Franklin House in London

Compromise and the Constitution of the United States

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Behind the Scenes | Exploring Benjamin Franklin

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Benjamin Franklin and Inoculation

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Videos

About Benjamin Franklin

Ken Burns’s two-part, four-hour documentary, “Benjamin Franklin,” explores the revolutionary life of one of the18th century’s most consequential and compelling personalities, whose work and words unlocked the mystery of electricity and helped create the United States.

Broadcast Dates

#101 - Join Or Die (1706-1774) |
Thursday, Jul 3 at 8pm TPT LIFE
#101 - Join Or Die (1706-1774) |
Friday, Jul 4 at 2am TPT LIFE
#102 - An American (1775-1790) |
Friday, Jul 4 at 8pm TPT LIFE
#102 - An American (1775-1790) |
Saturday, Jul 5 at 2am TPT LIFE

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