William Franklin

William Franklin
A portrait of William Franklin, c. 1790
13th Colonial Governor of New Jersey
In office
1763–1776
MonarchGeorge III
Preceded byJosiah Hardy
Succeeded by
Personal details
Born(1730-02-22)22 February 1730[citation needed]
Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania, British America
Died17 November 1813(1813-11-17) (aged 83)[a]
London, England, United Kingdom
Spouses
Elizabeth Downes
(m. 1762; died 1777)
Mary Johnson d'Evelin
(m. 1788; died 1811)
RelationsFrancis Folger Franklin (paternal half-brother)
Sarah Franklin Bache (paternal half-sister)
ChildrenWilliam Temple Franklin
Parent(s)Benjamin Franklin
Deborah Read (stepmother)
OccupationSoldier, colonial administrator, politician

William Franklin FRSE (22 February[citation needed] 1730 – 17 November 1813) was an American-born attorney, soldier, politician, and colonial administrator. He was the acknowledged extra-marital son of Benjamin Franklin. William Franklin was the last colonial Governor of New Jersey (1763–1776), and a steadfast Loyalist throughout the American Revolutionary War. In contrast, his father Benjamin was, in later life, one of the most prominent of the Patriot leaders of the American Revolution and a Founding Father of the United States.

Following imprisonment by Patriots in 1776 to 1778, William became the chief leader of the Loyalists. From his base in New York City, he organized military units to fight on the British side. In 1782, he went into exile in Britain. He lived in London until his death.
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