Thomas Jefferson usually gets the most cred as the Founding Fathers’ main Enlightenment figure. However, Benjamin Franklin has him beat. Franklin was an accomplished writer, publisher, printer, postmaster, politician, political theorist, Thomas Jefferson usually gets the most cred as the Founding Fathers’ main Enlightenment figure. However, Benjamin Franklin has him beat. Franklin was 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 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, well into his old age. Below are some fascinating facts about this lesser known side of Benjamin Franklin.
Franklin Loved the Ladies, But He Especially Loved Old Ladies
When he served the nascent United States as ambassador to France, Ben Franklin won over the French and secured their support against the British. In the course of winning over France, Franklin stormed French society and set its ladies’ heart aflutter. He took full advantage of his appeal to French ladies. While Franklin’s numerous affairs are tame by today’s standards, he was considered an all-out libertine by the staid standards of the Founding Fathers. He was particularly fond of older women.
In a letter to a young man, Franklin advised him that the best choice to satisfy his carnal desires was to get married. However, if marriage was not in the cards and he was inclined to engage in adultery, he should opt for an old woman. As he put it: “in all your Amours you should prefer old Women to young ones”. Included in his reasons were: “when Women cease to be handsome, they study to do be good. To maintain their Influence over Men, they supply the Diminution of Beauty by an Augmentation of Utility”.
Benjamin Franklin’s Many Reasons to Prefer Older Women Over Young Ones
Franklin further recommended old women to his young front because they: “learn to do a 1000 Services small and great, and are the most tender and useful of all Friends when you are sick. Thus they continue amiable. And hence there is hardly such a thing to be found as an old Woman who is not a good Woman”. Discretion was yet another reason for Franklin to recommend old women: “thro’ more Experience, they are more prudent and discreet in conducting an Intrigue to prevent Suspicion”.
Because of that prudence: “The Commerce with [old women] is therefore safer with regard to your Reputation. And with regard to theirs, if the Affair should happen to be known, considerate People might be rather inclin’d to excuse an old Woman who would kindly take care of a young Man, form his Manners by her good Counsels, and prevent his ruining his Health and Fortune among mercenary Prostitutes”. And the best reason of all, per Franklin: “Lastly They are so grateful!!”
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Some Sources & Further Reading
History Halls – Politicians Who Couldn’t Keep it In Their Pants: Felix Faure
