Ben Franklin's World is a production of the

Omaha Institute and this episode is sponsored by the Great Courses Plus.

Welcome to Ben Franklin's World.

Podcast about Early American History with Liz Covert.

The study of history is key to understanding who we are and how we can affect the better future.

Van Franklin's world will introduce you to historical people and events that have impacted

and shaped our present day world.

And now here's your host, Liz Koval.

Hello and welcome to episode 169 of Ben Franklin's world.

The podcast dedicated to helping you,

learn more about how the people and events

of our early American past have shaped the present day world

we live in.

Tomorrow is January 17, 2018,

which will mark the 312th birthday of Benjamin Franklin.

So I think we should use this anniversary as an opportunity to embark on a detailed expiration of Franklin's long life.

I mean, he is, after all, the namesake of this podcast.

Now, there are many aspects of Franklin's life that we could explore, but today we're going to focus our attention on his faith and religion.

Thomas Kidd, a professor of history at Baylor University, has written a book called Benjamin Franklin, the Religious Life of a Founding Father.

And in that book he tells us that while we remember Franklin as a printer, scientist, and statesman,

we can't truly know or understand his life unless we also take the time to explore and understand his faith and religious beliefs.

So that's what we're going to do today.

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