40. Benjamin Franklin posed as a woman when writing for his brother’s newspaper
When Benjamin Franklin’s brother James refused to publish the former’s writing in his newspaper, Ben resorted to the subterfuge of a pen name. He chose the name of a woman, Silence Dogood, and presented his pieces in a manner which poked fun at New England habits, fashion, and events. After revealing that Silence was a widow, the paper received several offers of marriage from Bostonians. Fourteen articles in the form of letters were published before James discovered the true authorship, and the falling out between the brothers led to Benjamin fleeing his apprenticeship and moving to Philadelphia to seek his fortune.
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