09 - Ben Franklin Bets On America

America’s wisest old man was writing his last will and testament.

Benjamin Franklin had plenty of people to leave his fortune to – his son William Franklin, former royal governor of New Jersey. His grandson, Temple Franklin, who had been Ben’s secretary during the negotiations with France that got the colonies some much-needed assistance with that whole “give the British a whuppin’” thing. Sally Bache, his daughter. Benjamin Bache, Sally’s son. Or even his sister Jane Franklin.

Everyone got a little something, but there were a couple of surprise bequests - to the two cities he called home - Boston and Philadelphia.

America's most middle class Founding Father made a two hundred-year bet. And he won. Can we do the same?

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