Sandford Awards 2024: Benjamin Franklin House

We are delighted to announce that the education programme at Benjamin Franklin House has been awarded a Sandford Award by the Heritage Education Trust.

The Sandford Award is the quality mark for heritage learning and validation for heritage organisations across the British Isles that offer a formal learning programme which supports the relevant curriculum.

Our provision was assessed by an expert judge who visited the House earlier this year to observe our schools programme in action and learn about our exciting range of learning opportunities including our outreach programme, family programme and extra-curricular activities.

The Sandford Award, which is valid for five years, was awarded in September 2024. This marks the fourth time that learning at Benjamin Franklin House has been recognised by the Heritage Education Trust, having also been awarded in 2009, 2014 & 2019.

As part of their assessment, each judge produces a detailed report on their findings that not only highlights the incredible work being carried out in heritage sites across the UK and Ireland but also provides valuable feedback to enable outstanding programmes to continue to grow and develop their successes. We received some wonderful comments from our judge who wrote;

“The learning programme positions the House as a window into the past and a living backdrop to not only Franklin’s many and varied interests and activities, but also to a world stage where relations between America and Great Britain are being questioned and fought over. From the minute a school arrives at the House and uses the heavy knocker to gain access, it is evident that this is not an experience that could be achieved in the classroom.” – Sandford Award Judge, 2024.

We are proud to display our award onsite and online as a marker for excellence in heritage education and encourage other historic sites to consider making an application in 2025.

You can see the full list of sites awarded in 2024 here as well as their page on Benjamin Franklin House here.

Frankly Speaking 2024

Literary Prize Winner & Runner-up announced!

2023 Winner and Runner-up

Each year a question or quote exploring Franklin’s relevance in our time is open for interpretation in 1000-1500 words. The competition is exclusively for young writers, aged 18-25, with a first prize of £750, and a second prize of £500.

In 2023, our quote for interpretation was;

“Government must depend for its Efficiency either on Force or Opinion.” From ‘The Colonist’s advocate’, VII. (Feb 1, 1770)

We received some excellent entries to our 2023 Prize and we are proud to announce the names of the two young writers that were voted as the winner and runner-up by our team of judges;

Winner – Ciara Griffiths

Ciara is a 21-year-old Philosophy graduate of Royal Holloway University of London. She is currently volunteering for Oxfam and works as a Social Media Ambassador for BucksVision, a local charity supporting visually impaired people living in Buckinghamshire.

Judges comments:

Wendy Moore: “A very stylish piece of fiction with lots of tension and echoes of A Tale of Two Cities.”

Rory Sutherland: “an ingenious link to the French Revolution.”

Runner-up – Angus Brown

Angus is 24 and currently a third year doctoral candidate in History at the University of Cambridge. 

Judges comments:

Lord Guy Black: “A compelling essay, expertly written.”

Huw David: “Well researched, brilliantly structured, and a thought-provoking conclusion.”

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If you would like to read their entries for the 2023 Prize, please click on their names to view their work.

In May 2024, the winner, runner-up and other shortlisted writers were invited to Benjamin Franklin House for a special award ceremony to receive their prizes and meet the judging panel for the 2023 Prize.

We would like to congratulate those on our shortlist as well as everyone who entered this year’s Prize.

2023 Literary Prize Shortlist Announcement

Each year a question or quote exploring Franklin’s relevance in our time is open for interpretation in 1000-1500 words. The competition is exclusively for young writers, aged 18-25, with a first prize of £750, and a second prize of £500.

This year, our quote for interpretation was;

‘Government must depend for its Efficiency either on Force or Opinion.’ From ‘The Colonist’s Advocate’, Vol VII. (1 February, 1770).

We received some excellent entries to our 2023 Prize and today we are proud to announce the names of the five young writers that have made it to our 2023 Shortlist. In alphabetical order, these are;

Angus Brown

Ciara Griffiths

Freya Graham

Georgina Arnold

Sam MacKley

If you would like to read any of the shortlisted entries for the 2022 Prize, please click on the writer names to view their work.

The winner and runner-up of the 2023 Literary Prize will be announced on the Benjamin Franklin House website on February 1st 2024, exactly 254 years since Franklin wrote this year’s quote.

In May 2024, the winner, runner-up and other shortlisted writers will be invited to Benjamin Franklin House for a special award ceremony to receive their prizes and meet the judging panel for the 2023 Prize.

The 2023 Literary Prize Judges are;

  • Dr. Márcia Balisciano, Director of Benjamin Franklin House
  • Lord Guy Black, Executive Director of the Telegraph Media Group
  • Wendy Moore, English journalist, author, and historian
  • Dr. Huw David, Development Director at Wolfson College, University of Oxford
  • Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy Group and Board Member of Benjamin Franklin House

We would like to congratulate those on our shortlist as well as everyone who entered this year’s Prize.

If you are interested in participating in our 2024 Literary Prize, please look out for announcements on our website. The quote for next year’s competition will be announced at the 2023 award ceremony and posted shortly after.

Attending MLB London Series 2023? Add Benjamin Franklin House to your to-do list…

St. Louis Cardinals face Chicago Cubs at the London Stadium June 24 to 25. Extend the excitement of your MLB London Series trip with our top tips and 10 reasons to visit Benjamin Franklin House:

 

  1. A new way to learn the story behind the man on the C-Note

    With a visit to the Benjamin Franklin House, history comes alive! We offer an immersive experience that tells the rich story of Franklin in London through live interpretation, sound, lighting, and visual projection.

  2. Connect with London’s past and present

    Entering Craven Street from the hustle and bustle of a 21st century Strand, you are immediately transported to Franklin’s 18th century London. A true hidden gem!

  3. Learn

    Franklin was a huge advocate of education for all! Benjamin Franklin House offers an accessible and enjoyable way to refresh all you learnt about Ben in High School. Connect with us on social media to learn more about Franklin’s life through short and digestible content.

  4. Get answers to the age-old question…was Benjamin Franklin a serial killer?!

    Find out why 1200 human bones were discovered buried in our garden…

  5. Americana

    Looking for a home away from home? Indulge those American roots and find out why Franklin loved this city so much.

  6. The heart of London

    Located in Westminster in the centre of London, Benjamin Franklin House is perfect for an off-the-beaten-track attraction amongst local tourist hotspots like the London Eye, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.

  7. Original 18th Century architecture

    Experience an authentic 18th century London home! Built in 1730, the House retains a lot of its original features that Ben himself would recognise. On Fridays, our Architecture Tours dive deep into its fascinating history.

  8. Franklin Trail

    The Benjamin Franklin House is one exciting spot along the Franklin Trail in London. Central to the trail, come and learn how he lived, conducted experiments for his scientific inventions and negotiated with key figures of the day.

  9. Welcoming and insightful staff

    The staff at the Benjamin Franklin House are all Franklin enthusiasts and willing to ask any questions you have!

  10. Understanding and appreciation

    Learning history helps one reflect on the present day and why certain traditions and
    customs exist. Additionally, appreciating history allows one better understand the current
    state of affairs and recognise patterns for the future.

Benjamin Franklin: Cub or Cardinal?

Designed to keep Benjamin Franklin’s history alive in the minds of Chicago’s youth, a monument to him stands in the city’s Lincoln Park!
With a big ego and no direct link to the city of St Louis, it’s only fair to assume that Franklin would therefore be rooting for the Cubs.. sorry not sorry.

Top tips to make the most of your MLB London Series!

 

Transport

The MLB London Series is held at London Stadium, June 24-25. Public transport in London is accessible and easy to use and payment can be made using contactless debit/credit cards and mobile devices.

Downloading the app CityMapper makes directions easy for all IOS and Android users. For more directions, see Transport for London’s tube map, bus map, or guidance on cycling in London.

Visiting Benjamin Franklin House? Here’s some handy advice for getting here!

Hungry?

For ballpark inspired food, MLB London Series has partnered up with some great London establishments!

Representing Chicago Cubs, there’s Yard Sale Pizza.

And for St Louis Cardinals fans, check out Patty & Bun.

More fun on Benjamin Franklin House’s doorstep!

MLB London Series Trafalgar Square Takeover is a three-day celebration of baseball culture in one of the most iconic spots in the city (and a 2 minute walk from us!)
Visit the Fan Festival page to find out more.

A visit to Benjamin Franklin House is a real home run…

Hallfield Primary School Outreach Workshop: Inside Benjamin Franklin’s House

Remembering William Hewson: The Story Behind the Bones in our Basement

Note: There are several people discussed in this piece who share names. To avoid confusion, whenever possible William Hewson will be referred to by his last name and the Hunter brothers will be called by their first names.

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When you google “Benjamin Franklin” and ‘“bones” most of what you’ll get is tabloid headlines inquiring as to whether or not Franklin was a serial killer. The answer is no. Rather, the bones in the basement of 36 Craven Street were the result of an anatomy school run by William Hewson in what was once the garden.

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Who’s Who 

 

William Hewson

William Hewson was born on November 14, 1739, and was one of 11 children, very few of whom survived to adulthood. 1 When he was 20 years old, he moved to London and began to study anatomy under William and John Hunter. 2 When they thought he had learned a great deal, the Hunter brothers allowed Hewson to teach some of the newer students. 3 Hewson worked with William Hunter for a time before the two had a disagreement. 4 The issue largely came down to the fact that Hewson, “…decided to live in a house of his own rather than Hunter’s house/lecture rooms/museum.” 2 Benjamin Franklin played a hand in mediating the dispute and the two were able to reach an amicable solution. 2 Hewson opened his own anatomy school in September 1772 at 36 Craven Street.  4

In 1769, Hewson was awarded the Copley Medal but he was not admitted into the Royal Society until March 8, 1770. 5 According to the Royal Society, “First awarded in 1731…it was initially awarded for the most important scientific discovery or for the greatest contribution made by experiment.” 6

On May 1, 1774, Hewson died tragically of septicaemia. 7 According to George Gulliver, Hewson’s wife, Polly, whom he married in 1770, wrote of him, “A better son and husband, or a fonder father than Mr. Hewson never existed…. Mr. Hewson’s manners were gentle and engaging; his ambition was free from ostentation, his prudence was without meanness, and he was more covetous of fame than of fortune.” 8

William Hunter

William Hunter was born on May 23, 1718. 9 He was the seventh of ten children and the older brother of John Hunter. 10 He began studying at Glasgow University in 1731 with the intention of joining the church but did not graduate. Instead, he studied under Alexander Monro for a year, followed by studying midwifery under William Smellie. 11 Because of his time under Smellie, Hunter, “began building a surgical and midwifery practice, investigating female reproductive anatomy using animals.” 11 He started teaching anatomy lessons featuring human corpses in 1746 and continued doing so until he died. 11

One of his main areas of study was the gravid uterus. 11 In 1750, “Hunter had his first opportunity to dissect a full-term gravid uterus…and was able to determine the relationship between the maternal and foetal blood system in the placenta. This work confirmed that maternal blood reached the placenta but did not pass to the foetus.” 11 His experience and research lead him to be inducted into the Royal Society on April 30, 1767. By that same year, he became physician extraordinary to the Queen. 12 Queen Charlotte was not his only high-status patient; according to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, “…possibly because of his growing midwifery practice among the aristocracy. Hunter certainly seems to have developed personal qualities which brought him patients such as the Pitts, Hertfords, Lady Ossory, the Fitzroys, the earl of Sandwich, Lord North, the Coutts, and the Hollands.” 11

William fully opened his own anatomy school on Great Windmill Street, and “…began lecturing in the new anatomy theatre in 1767, and lived on the site from 1768.” 11He taught there for many years until he died on March 30, 1783, possibly of renal failure. 11 Much of his work became disputed as he did not publish much of it and, “Pupils’ notes of his lectures are the only record of some of his discoveries.” 11

John Hunter 

John Hunter was born on February 13, 1728. 13 He attempted to find work in Scotland but ultimately moved to London at age 20 to work with his older brother, William Hunter. 14 John studied at a variety of schools but could not obtain his certification to practice so he took a break from working. He ended up becoming a staff surgeon in the English Army in 1760 and was able to gain a lot of field experience. 15 He wrote a paper called A Treatise on Blood, Inflammation, and Gun-shot Wounds, published posthumously, that detailed a better way to treat gunshot wounds. 16

John enjoyed collecting medical oddities for his personal collection, which totaled over 10,000 items. He made many contributions to science but never published many of his findings. 17 Despite this, he was awarded the Copley Medal in 1787. 18 Before he died in 1793, he requested that “…upon his death two specimens be preserved: his Achilles tendon, which ruptured in 1767 and healed through secondary ossification, and his heart.” 19 Neither of them were preserved. 19 He was originally buried in the Church of St Martin in the Field but was reburied in Westminster Abbey on March 28, 1859. 20

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Anatomy Schools 

 

How an anatomy school worked

Many anatomy schools, including William Hunter’s operated through only the winter season as the bodies would decompose to quickly otherwise. 11 According to Roy Porter, “…near the top of the [specialization] list was midwifery, as surgeon-apothocaries discovered that obstetrics paid, for the baby you brought into the world became your patient for life.” 21 Many students went to schools in either London or Scotland but the schools in London were more flexible. 22 These schools led to a number of advancements in the medical field as lecturers demonstrated the techniques they had developed through dissections and practicing on cadavers. 

Comparative Anatomy

Comparative anatomy was a very common practice. As stated in an article from the Journal of Anatomy, “The animal dissections were noted to have saw cuts in very similar positions to those found in the human skeletons….” 23 Hewson was known to complete experiments utilizing comparative anatomy. A turtle spine and mercury were found within the pit of bones at Craven Street and Hewson was known to have conducted an experiment in 1770 at the Royal Society using the flow of mercury through a turtle to show the lymphatic system. 

The Hunterian Collection

John Hunter was known for collecting cadavers with medical abnormalities. Ruth Richardson writes of his collection containing, “monstrous births (animal and human) in bottles, the skeletons of physical freaks, a cast of the brain cavity of Dean Swift’s skull, death masks, murderers’ skeletons and relics, and all sorts and conditions of medical prodigies – feet, heads, internal organs – pickled or dyed to show their peculiarities to better effect.” 24 

One such example of this was the body of Charles Byrne. He had a tumor that caused him to be abnormally tall, measuring 8 ft. 4 in. by the time of his death. He was part of a traveling exhibition using the title of “The Irish Giant.” 25 When he died at age 22, he wanted to be buried at sea so anatomists would not be able to dissect him but, John Hunter was able to obtain his body for approximately £500. After he was dissected, his skeleton was placed on display. 26 According to the Royal College of Surgeons, when the Hunterian museum reopens,“…Charles Byrne’s skeleton will not be displayed…but will still be available for bona fide medical research into the condition of pituitary acromegaly and gigantism.” 27

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Obtaining Cadavers

In 1752, the Murder Act was passed, “which allowed for the corpses of executed murderers to be taken to the Company of Surgeons in London for studying and teaching.” 28 Dissection was often viewed as an additional layer of punishment for those who were executed. 29 Sometimes prisoners would sell their bodies ahead of time to do things like pay debts but, “Riots at the gallows often sought to deny surgeons dissection rights over the dead, regardless of whether currency had changed hands.” 30

There were not nearly enough cadavers to supply all of the anatomy schools in London so many surgeons resorted to obtaining bodies from graverobbers, also known as resurrectionists. As Ruth Richardson writes, “…exhumation was not technically a crime of theft; for although dead human bodies were in face bought and sold, in the eyes of the law a dead body did not constitture real property and therefore could neither be owned nor stolen.” 31 Unless the grave robber was caught in possession of the effects of the deceased or had damaged the coffin in some way, they would not be punished by the law.  31

There were some, such as William Burke and William Hare, who took it upon themselves to “create” cadavers for medical schools. Hare ran a lodging house and after one of the lodgers passed away, they sold his body to Dr. Robert Knox for his dissections. After making a profit, they began to murder people by suffocating them. They continued to sell them to Dr. Knox. Their practice continued from November 1827 to October 31, 1828. 32 When they were caught, Hare gave evidence against Burke then left for Ireland. Burke was hung and dissected. Knox’s knowledge of the murders could not be verified so he was not punished.  33

Most of the bodies taken from graves for dissection were those of the poor as their graves were often in mass and their coffins were cheap, making them easy targets. There were often groups of people who would work together to rob graves. They operated with the goal of making it look as though the grave had never been disturbed. They often would not take the bodies of a person who had clearly had an infectious disease. 34 That said, according to Ruth Richardson, Astley Cooper was quoted as saying, “The law does not prevent our obtaining the body of an individual if we think proper; for there is no person, let his situation in life be what it may, whom if I were disposed to dissect, I could not obtain.”  35

The rules around the body trade changed after the Warburton Anatomy Act of 1832. Parliament writes, “…the Anatomy Act of 1832 gave surgeons and their students’ legal access to the bodies from workhouses, hospitals and prisons that were unclaimed 48 hours after death. It was also made possible for a person to donate a next of kin’s body for medical study.” 36

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Conclusion

The bones found in the basement of 36 Craven Street show marks from surgical instruments. There is a femur bone that shows signs of having been amputated and a number of skulls with small circles drilled out, known as trepanning. Many other bones showed signs of having been amputated or cut away to be removed in a particular fashion. 37

When Hewson died, Benjamin Franklin wrote to Deborah of him, saying: 

“Our Family here is in great Distress. Poor Mrs. Hewson has lost her Husband, and Mrs. Stevenson her Son-in-law. He died last Sunday Morning of a Fever which baffled the Skill of our best Physicians. He was an excellent young Man, ingenious, industrious, useful, and belov’d by all that knew him. She is left with two young Children, and a third soon expected. He was just established in a profitable growing Business, with the best Prospects of bringing up his young family advantageously.” 38