The Enigma Behind the Man on the $100 Bill

Benjamin Franklin was one of the country’s Founding Fathers. He discovered the lightning rod, invented bifocals and charted the Gulf Stream. He wrote the witty and wise “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” which is still read today. And his worldly countenance graces the $100 bill.

But despite his significant place in American history, Franklin remains somewhat of an enigma.

“There is this American myth that he is this fat old avuncular guy you can put your arms around,” says Ronald Blumer, writer and co-producer of the new three-part PBS documentary, “Benjamin Franklin,” which premieres Tuesday.

“Boy, did we find out differently. One scholar said it was impossible to ever figure out who Franklin was because he was so modern in terms of putting forth the image he wanted to create. The only time we ever thought we were getting at the truth of Franklin is when he got angry and he would really show his true mettle. Otherwise, he puts on his bland ‘I’m Mr. Nice Guy.’ It was an act.”

The creative team that produced the Peabody Award-wining PBS documentary series “Liberty!: The American Revolution” was responsible for “Benjamin Franklin,” which, like “Liberty!,” utilizes paintings, interviews with scholars and actors playing the various historical figures discussed in the documentary. Dylan Baker and Tony Award-winning actor Richard Easton both portray Franklin, with Blair Brown playing his sister Jane, Peter Donaldson as John Adams and Robert Maxwell his wife, Deborah.

“Benjamin Franklin” was a direct outgrowth of “Liberty!,” according to executive producer Catherine Allan. “In the middle of the editing room for ‘Liberty!,’ the narration came by that Benjamin Franklin was the most famous American in the world [during his lifetime]. I said, ‘Stop. How could that be?’ And then the writer just turned to me and said, ‘Well, he was.’ His discovery in electricity had made him a world-famous celebrity. That immediately piqued my interest, and then realizing he had led an entire life before the American Revolution.... “

Franklin was brilliant -- a classic over-achiever whose mind was always going a mile a minute.

‘“We think there is one kind of intelligence, which is measured by IQ tests,” Blumer says. “But in fact we know now there are lots of kinds of intelligence -- social intelligence, political intelligence, financial intelligence. Franklin had all the intelligences people can have and he used it and exploited it. That’s what’s so amazing. He wasn’t just a geek. He could organize people. He could get along with people and he could manipulate people.”

He was also very hard on his family. He left Deborah in Philadelphia when he went on a diplomatic mission to England. Though he said he’d return soon, he stayed for 15 years. Deborah died before his return.

He disowned his son William, who was governor of New Jersey, because he sided with England during the American Revolution.

“He was wonderful with strangers or acquaintances,” Easton says. “I think it has to do with being a loner.... “

“He would be a great dinner guest,” Blumer says. “He wasn’t a big talker, but he was very self-effacing. He would listen more than talk, but whenever he opened up his mouth, whatever he said was fascinating. He has become a really boring guy, a patron saint of all the Rotary clubs and savings banks, and that is so far from the truth.”

“Benjamin Franklin” can be seen Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 p.m. on KCET and KVCR.

Cover photograph by John Clifford.