William Franklin
William Franklin | |
|---|---|
A portrait of William Franklin, c. 1790 | |
| 13th Colonial Governor of New Jersey | |
| In office 1763–1776 | |
| Monarch | George III |
| Preceded by | Josiah Hardy |
| Succeeded by | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 February 1730 Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania, British America |
| Died | 17 November 1813 (aged 83) London, England, United Kingdom |
| Spouses | Elizabeth Downes
(m. 1762; died 1777) Mary Johnson d'Evelin
(m. 1788; died 1811) |
| Relations | Francis Folger Franklin (paternal half-brother) Sarah Franklin Bache (paternal half-sister) |
| Children | William Temple Franklin |
| Parent(s) | Benjamin Franklin Deborah Read (stepmother) |
| Occupation | Soldier, colonial administrator, politician |
William Franklin FRSE (22 February 1730 – 17 November 1813) was an American-born attorney, soldier, politician, and colonial administrator. He was the acknowledged extra-marital son of Benjamin Franklin. William Franklin was the last colonial Governor of New Jersey (1763–1776), and a steadfast British Empire Loyalist throughout the American Revolutionary War. In contrast, his father Benjamin was, in later life, one of the most prominent of the Patriot leaders of the American Revolution and a Founding Father of the United States.
Following imprisonment by Patriots in 1776 to 1778, William became the chief leader of the Loyalists. From his base in New York City, he organized military units to fight on the British side. In 1782, he went into exile in Britain. He lived in London until his death.