House Talk: The Story Behind Benjamin Franklin’s Infamous Pen Name, Silence Dogood

A drawing of a man with text 'I am, Sir, Your Humble Servant, SILENCE DOGOOD'

Thursday 24 June, 12pm ET/5pm BST. Register here.

In 1722, at the age of just 16, Benjamin Franklin adopted the persona of Silence Dogood, an elderly widow, in order to publish something in his brother’s newspaper. The 14 letters which followed, filled with satirical wit, were extremely popular with New England Courant readers and are an early indication of Franklin’s brilliance. Join Education Manager, Eleanor Hamblen, for an exploration of the works of Silence Dogood!