he Robert H. Smith Scholarship Centre is located on the top floor of the House and is a centre for study of the many subjects Franklin pursued.

US, UK and other scholars have access - using print and online services - to the nearly 40 volumes of Franklin's writings produced, with analysis by scholars based at Yale University, thanks to support from the US Embassy London.

The Scholarship Centre is named for Robert H. Smith, a great man, who believed in and supported the potential of Franklin's only remaining home.

To visit the Scholarship Centre email: info@benjaminfranklinhouse.org

A key initiative of the Scholarship Centre is the annual Benjamin Franklin House Symposium in Association with The Eccles Centre, an event which features leading names in such diverse fields as science, politics and business to discuss issues inspired by Franklin's life and work.

Topics of previous Symposia have been Franklin and the Media's Role in Global Affairs, Benjamin Franklin and the Human Genome, and Benjamin Franklin Design and Innovation and Benjamin Franklin and the Globalisation of Science.

This year's Symposium took place on Wednesday, 9 September 2009. We collaborated with Kew Gardens in celebration of their 250th annivesary. Franklin and Joseph Banks, Kew’s Founder, were close friends; Paul Smith, Director of Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank revealed what's become of their mutual botanical passion.

Find out more about Kew's 250th anniversary events here.

In 2008 the theme was Benjamin Franklin and the Globalisation of Science featuring the eminent scientist, Dr. Richard Horton, Editor of the Lancet. 

Internships

Franklin was sent to London in 1757, as a diplomat for the Pennsylvania Assembly, and the House served as the first de facto American Embassy. During the nearly 16 years in which he resided at 36 Craven Street, he worked tirelessly to broker peace between the British government and American colonies. Today, Benjamin Franklin House continues Franklin’s work in bringing nations together, particularly through our ongoing internship scheme. The 12 week programme attracts students from American and British universities, as well as those across Europe, allowing them to gain skills in education, marketing and museum operations. The large number of interns (up to five per day), allows budgets to remain low, and the small staff team to concentrate on service development. Email education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org to find out more.