17. The most libertine founding father
Thomas Jefferson usually gets most of the credit for being the Founding Fathers’ main Enlightenment figure, but Benjamin Franklin probably has him trumped. Franklin, an accomplished writer, publisher, printer, postmaster, politician, political theorist, diplomat, statesman, and scientist. He was also an inventor who came up with the lightening rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove. To top it all off, Franklin’s face ended up on a higher denomination bill than that of the Man From Monticello.
Less known about Franklin is that he was a babe magnet, who stormed French society and set its ladies’ heart aflutter. He took full advantage of that, and while his numerous affairs are tame by today’s standards, he was considered an all-out libertine by the staid standards of the Founding Fathers. Franklin was particularly fond of old(er) women, and in a letter to a young man, he advised him to opt for an old woman if he was inclined to engage in adultery. Included in his reason were: “when Women cease to be handsome, they study to be good“. They are more discrete, and: “Lastly They are so grateful!!”