In an excellent article published in Volume XXXV – 2006 Transactions of the American Lodge of Research (New York City), Thomas W. Jackson, PGS (PA) wrote very movingly about Benjamin Franklin. In a very small extract from this article he said:

            “Even as Franklin cannot be separated from Freemasonry he cannot be separated from the Enlightenment. He unquestionably, was the most visible example of the Enlightenment in colonial America, as well as the most visible example of the American Enlightenment in Europe. It was his relationship with the Enlightenment, however, that created his exposure to the world outside of Freemasonry. His interest in science, and his natural curiosity alone might have given him this exposure, but his interest in public affairs and commitment to the plight of others placed him squarely in the mainstream of enlightened thought. This concern for others is revealed in the effort he put into scientific experimentation. Most were to the benefit of the people.

He was a founder of the American Philosophical Society, participated in the founding of the Library Company of Philadelphia, the first free library in America, The College and Academy of Philadelphia, now the University of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Hospital. He was involved in organizing the first fire company in North America and the first fire insurance company, and was even involved with the paving and cleaning the streets of Philadelphia. His interest in science led him to the invention of the bifocal, to experiments in electricity and to the invention of a more efficient stove.”

(Source: American Lodge of ‘Research – Transactions – 2006)