Chapter 38

This chapter consists entirely of endnotes and bibliographic citations for Chapter 38 of the biography, providing source documentation for Franklin's civic and publishing activities during the 1730s and 1740s.

These endnotes document the sources and scholarly context for the main narrative chapter on Franklin's establishment of civic institutions and his role as a printer and publisher. The notes reference Franklin's founding of the Library Company of Philadelphia, his creation of fire companies and discussion of fire safety in the Pennsylvania Gazette, his involvement with Freemasonry, and his controversial support for Presbyterian minister Samuel Hemphill during theological disputes. They also cite sources on Franklin's printing of materials related to evangelist George Whitefield's Great Awakening revival, Franklin's creation of fictional newspaper personas like Obadiah Plainman and Polly Baker to fill newspaper columns, his partnership agreement with David Hall that allowed him to semi-retire from printing in 1748, and his founding of the American Philosophical Society in 1743. Additionally, the notes address Franklin's personal life, including his relationship with his daughter Sally and various marriage prospects he attempted to arrange. The notes reference primary sources from Franklin's papers, his Autobiography, the Pennsylvania Gazette, and secondary scholarly works examining Franklin's life and influence.