What are some dark facts about Benjamin Franklin? Some dark facts about Benjamin Franklin include that he owned slaves early in life before becoming abolitionist, participated in printing that benefited from slavery, and had complicated views on race early. He had illegitimate child William Franklin and was not faithful husband, known for affairs in France as widower. He published controversial writings and supported harsh treatment of Native Americans in some early writings, though later advocated better relations. Franklin was involved in 1737 case where he published defense of slavery trade early career. Also dark fact that bodies found in his London home basement in 1998, skeletons of about 10 people, likely from anatomy school run by his friend William Hewson who conducted dissections, not murders, but shocking discovery. Franklin also had bitter estrangement from loyalist son William, never reconciling fully. He also advocated for public humiliation punishments. So dark facts include early slave ownership, infidelity, bodies in basement from anatomy experiments, and family estrangement, though he later became abolitionist and respected statesman.
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