"My Dear Girl"

"My Dear Girl" offers an intimate and revealing look into the personal life of one of America's most celebrated Founding Fathers through his private letters. This collection brings together the extensive correspondence between Benjamin Franklin and several young women who held significant places in his life: Polly Stevenson, the daughter of his London landlady, and Georgina and Catherine Shipley, daughters of the Bishop of St. Asaph.

Spanning several decades, these letters transcend mere social pleasantries, showcasing Franklin as a mentor, scientist, and affectionate friend. Readers will find insightful discussions on scientific observations, philosophy, and politics, intertwined with the domestic details of 18th-century life. The correspondence reveals a side of Franklin rarely seen in his official diplomatic papers-a man of warmth, humor, and deep intellectual curiosity who took great pleasure in the education and intellectual development of his female companions.

This work is an essential resource for those interested in the social history of the Enlightenment and the private character of a man who shaped the course of American history. Through these pages, the vibrant personality of Franklin comes to life, providing a unique perspective on his years spent in England and France during the formative era of the United States.

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