How many illegitimate children did Benjamin Franklin have?

Historical records confirm that Benjamin Franklin had one acknowledged illegitimate son, William Franklin, who was born around 1730. The identity of William's mother remains unknown, though speculation has ranged from household servants to women Franklin encountered in London. Despite the circumstances of his birth, Benjamin raised William as his own son, providing him with education and eventually securing him the position of Royal Governor of New Jersey. While there have been persistent rumors and speculative biographies suggesting Franklin may have fathered other children during his extensive time in Europe, particularly in France where he was known for his charm and interactions with women, no concrete evidence supports these claims. Most reputable historians agree that William was his only illegitimate child. Franklin’s relationship with William later became strained due to their opposing political loyalties during the American Revolution, with William remaining loyal to the British Crown. This single confirmed case of illegitimacy stands in contrast to the more prolific private lives of some of his contemporaries, and it reflects the social norms and personal complexities of eighteenth-century colonial America.