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Benjamin Franklin

An epic yarn spanning most of the 18th century, the series follows Franklin's career from humble beginnings in Boston to international superstardom: first as a scientist and revolutionary, and then as a founding father and America's first diplomat to France.

Created By
StatusEnded
Original NameBenjamin Franklin
First Air DateNovember 19, 2002
Last Air DateNovember 20, 2002
Seasons1
Episodes3
Episode Runtime NaNmin
LanguageEnglish
Original LanguageEnglish
Production CountriesUnited States of America
Production Companies
NetworksPBS
S01E03

The Chess Master

“The Chess Master” follows “America's native genius,” as historian Keith Arbour calls Franklin, through the final 14 years of his life, nine of which were spent in Paris as the rebellious colonies' ambassador to France. Franklin's first goal (aside from creating the U.S. foreign service on the fly) was to secure financial and military aid. He went about doing it in the same manner as he played chess.

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