The Secret History of History: Benjamin Franklin: Master of Intrigue April 5, 2006

The Secret History of History
Benjamin Franklin: Master of Intrigue

Wednesday, 5 April; 6:30 pm

"Do nothing but what spies may see and welcome." - Benjamin Franklin

He played France against Britain and enabled the President to outguess and outmaneuver the Redcoats. Who was this 18th century super spymaster? None other than Benjamin Franklin! The Quaker sage is too little known for his crafty management of a U.S. intelligence network during the Revolutionary War. As a founder of the Committee on Secret Correspondence, he had expertise in the full array of sophisticated spycraft ? from secret writing to calculated leaks ? and he wasn?t afraid to use it. Join James Srodes, author of Franklin: The Essential Founding Father, and Thomas B. Allen, author of George Washington: Spymaster, for a look at this revolutionary spy story and how Franklin?s legacy continues to affect intelligence gathering today, 300 years after his birth.

Co-sponsored by the National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, PA in conjunction with their exhibition Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World on view through 30 April.

Tickets: $15 ? Members of the National constitution Center or Members of The Spy Ring (Join Today!): $12 ? Space is limited ? advance registration required!