Robert J Allison
Author
Series
Great Courses volume 20
Language
English
Description
In December 1776, with independence declared and the American Revolution underway, Franklin traveled to Paris as an ambassador and was met with great acclaim. Journey with him through France over the next nine years, and learn how he adapted to French politics and culture, and cultivated an image of himself as a representative of the New World.
Author
Series
Great Courses volume 14
Language
English
Description
It might be strange to consider, but Franklin knew more about Native Americans than modern historians do. The Iroquois, Delaware, and other natives loomed large in his world and held the balance of power in North America. Witness his negotiations with these groups and reflect on his views toward American Indians.
Author
Series
Great Courses volume 12
Language
English
Description
Franklin has been called everything from a "babe magnet" to a "high-flying ladies' man" to "the founding flirt." Although he was conventionally married and had a family, he also had a number of unconventional liaisons around the world. Here, you will consider the many women in Franklin's life, and his relationships with them.
Author
Series
Great Courses volume 11
Language
English
Description
Among Franklin's lesser known abilities are his musical talents, which made effective use of his rational mind and his quest for understanding the world. After surveying the world of 18th century music, Professor Allison reveals Franklin's musical prowess, including the invention of a new musical instrument.
Author
Series
Great Courses volume 15
Language
English
Description
Franklin's attitudes toward race and slavery changed over the course of his long life. During his life, he owned four slaves, yet he came to despise the institution for the way it contradicted Enlightenment values. After surveying the institution of American slavery, Professor Allison walks you through Franklin's life as he wrestled with slavery.
Author
Series
Great Courses volume 21
Language
English
Description
Although Franklin enjoyed himself in France, his primary mission was one of complicated diplomacy - first, to bring France into a military alliance with the United States; second, to negotiate with other European powers to support the American cause; and finally, to negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain. Witness his strategy for achieving these ends.
Author
Series
Great Courses volume 8
Language
English
Description
Unpack Franklin's greatest scientific contributions, which were in the field of electricity. As one of his biographers put it, Franklin found electricity as merely a curiosity but he left it a science. Review his most important discoveries, experiments, and contributions, and reflect on the lasting legacy of Franklin as a scientist.
Author
Series
Great Courses volume 3
Language
English
Description
We may associate Franklin with Philadelphia, but his roots lie in Boston. As you will find out in this lecture, many of the virtues Franklin would cultivate throughout his life grew from the values of the Boston Puritans. Delve into the Boston of the time to meet some of the people and witness the events that Franklin experienced in his youth.
Author
Publisher
Teaching Co
Pub. Date
[2009]
Language
English
Description
Between 1500 and 1800, the world was transformed. The peoples of Europe, Africa, and America, brought together in an often violent colonial process, created a new world and transformed the old. Although the individual British American colonies later formed into one nation, this course explores their profound differences in origin and practice. Professor Allison examines the relations of the colonies with the native people, the relations between these...
Author
Series
Publisher
Teaching Company
Pub. Date
[2018]
Language
English
Description
"We all have certain images of Ben Franklin: the witty Founding Father who promoted independence; the Philadelphia printer who created Poor Richard's Almanack; the scientist who conducted experiments with kites in electrical storms; the author of what is arguably America's best-known autobiography. These images reveal an intellectually curious and successful man of the 18th century, but they don't fully capture the full spirit of one of the most extraordinary...
32) American eras
Publisher
Gale
Pub. Date
1997-1999
Language
English
Description
Includes essays on events, publications, lifestyles and individuals important to various eras in U.S. history.