Early Life
William Franklin was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then a colony in British America. His exact date of birth is uncertain, but it was likely in 1730. He was the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin, a leading figure in the city. While his mother's identity is unknown, evidence suggests she was a "low woman". Confusion exists about William's birth and parentage because Benjamin was secretive about his son's origins. In 1750 Franklin told his own mother that William was nineteen years old, but this may have been an attempt to make the youth appear legitimate.
William was raised by Benjamin Franklin and Deborah Read, his common-law wife; William always called her his mother. There is some speculation that Deborah Read was William's mother, and that because of his parents' common-law relationship, the circumstances of his birth were obscured so as not to be politically harmful to him.
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Famous quotes related to early life:
“... business training in early life should not be regarded solely as insurance against destitution in the case of an emergency. For from business experience women can gain, too, knowledge of the world and of human beings, which should be of immeasurable value to their marriage careers. Self-discipline, co-operation, adaptability, efficiency, economic management,—if she learns these in her business life she is liable for many less heartbreaks and disappointments in her married life.”
—Hortense Odlum (1892–?)