The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin · Character
George Whitefield
The spellbinding evangelist of the Great Awakening whose thunderous sermons Franklin admires even as he coolly counts the coins his preaching draws.
supporting
Also known as the Reverend Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Whitefield
First appearance: viii business success and first public service
As a supporting figure in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, George Whitefield is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Itinerant preacher whose powerful oratory draws enormous crowds; Franklin prints his sermons and journals, and they maintain a civil friendship.
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Whitefield sweeps the colonies with revival fervor, and Franklin, though skeptical of his doctrine, is fascinated by his oratory and its practical effects. Their friendship lets Franklin study persuasion at close range…
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See George Whitefield in viii business success and first public serviceCharacter Web
18 connectionsA slice of how George Whitefield sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Professional
- Other
Character groups
- Rivals and Adversaries
- Extended Network and Collaborators
+13 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because Franklin transitions from merely recording his personal success…
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Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Samuel Keimer
professional · positive
Whitefield employed Keimer to print his sermons and journals during his evangelical tours. How this plays out →
Relationship notes
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George Whitefield appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
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See George Whitefield in viii business success and first public service