Benjamin Franklin and the Invention of American Science

Science belongs to the world. So why did Benjamin Franklin and his peers think that the United States was the best at it? This talk explores how Franklin and early American scientists defined science as a fundamentally American activity and helped the United States become a scientific powerhouse.

Paul Rubinson is Professor of History at Bridgewater State University. He has written books on scientists and nuclear weapons and is the author of American Scientists and Human Rights from the Early Republic to the Cold War, forthcoming from Cambridge University Press. 

Join us in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary as we explore the local stories of the Old Colony that helped shape the nation.

The OCHM is proud to offer free public programs, continuing our long tradition of providing accessible history and learning for all.