# Benjamin Franklin — The Age of Reason character guide

> Benjamin Franklin in The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Franklin

**First appearance:** 0001-the-age-of-reason

## Who they are

American founding father and inventor, mentioned by Paine.

## In the story

### [Editor's Introduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/editor-s-introduction)

Collaborator of Paine; mentioned as one of the educated men who estimated Paine's ability.

### [XII: The Effects of Christianism on Education; Proposed Reforms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-xii-the-effects-of-christianism-on-education-proposed-reforms)

Hypothetically mentioned as a scientist who would have been at risk of execution for drawing lightning from clouds.

### [I: The Old Testament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-ii-i-the-old-testament)

Referenced for his parable about Abraham and the stranger, which Paine compares favorably to the book of Jonah.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/characters/benjamin_franklin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/characters