Antique 1806 Engraving of Benjamin Franklin L.L.D. – American Founding Father

A fine copperplate engraving of Benjamin Franklin, one of the most influential figures of the Enlightenment and a key Founding Father of the United States. Published in London on May 1st, 1806 by J. Wilkes and engraved by J. Chapman, this portrait depicts Franklin in thoughtful profile, reflecting his profound legacy in science, diplomacy, and civic philosophy.
Below the portrait is a vignette illustrating his iconic kite experiment, in which Franklin demonstrated the electrical nature of lightning—cementing his place in scientific history. The architecture in the background may represent the American Enlightenment’s ideals of civic progress and innovation.
Size 11x16 cm