Was benjamin franklin a serial killer? The controversy still remains unsolved. Let’s find out.
Benjamin Franklin is often considered one of the United States Founding Fathers, and his various accomplishments in science, politics, and other areas are well-known.
However, it recently came to light that human skeletons were found on the grounds of Benjamin Franklin’s estate. Amidst speculation around their origin, one natural question that arose was whether or not Franklin was a serial killer.
There is no evidence to support this hypothesis. Rather, these skeletons were likely part of an archaeological excavation he conducted during his lifetime as he wanted to learn more about the ancient remains in America.
Therefore, although mysterious discoveries have been made at Franklin’s estate, all evidence suggests that he should not be considered a serial killer.
How old were the human skeletons in Benjamin Franklin’s London home?
If someone were informed that a dozen human skeletons were discovered in an underground room at Benjamin Franklin’s 18th-century house in London, they might initially think of a serial killer.
However, on closer inspection, the body remains were found to be the result of an anatomy school run by Franklin’s protege William Hewson.
Further archaeological research found that the garden belonged to a surgeon who conducted dissections from 1750 to 1800, which was before Franklin took up residence in London.
Smithsonian magazine suggests that this could have been the source of Hewson’s skeleton schools. This explanation certainly presents a less macabre image than the one initially suggested and absolves Benjamin Franklin from any wrongdoing.
In 1998, when conservationists were carrying out renovation and repair work on the Ben Franklin Home, a house located at 36 Craven Street, they made a remarkable discovery. This house is now a museum under the auspices of the Smithsonian, a well-known institution dedicated to research, education, and museum operations.
The discovery was a pit measuring one meter wide and one meter deep, which contained over 1200 pieces of human bones.
These bones were the remnants of an anatomy school that was run from the house by William Hewson, who was the son-in-law of the house’s landlady, Margaret Stevenson.
Hewson was married to Margaret’s daughter, Polly, in 1770 and is best known for his research on the lymphatic and blood systems.
He was the first to isolate the essential protein in the blood clotting process, which he named “coagulable lymph,” and he also made significant contributions to the field of anatomy.
The discovery of these human remains was a significant event in the history of the Ben Franklin Home, which had been preserved as a museum to honor the memory of one of America’s most prominent figures, Benjamin Franklin.
The discovery shed light on the fascinating history of the house and the medical practices of the time and has helped to deepen our understanding of the scientific contributions of William Hewson.
