William Franklin

William Franklin FRSE
A portrait of William Franklin, c. 1790
13th Colonial Governor of New Jersey
In office 1763–1776
Monarch	George III
Preceded by	Josiah Hardy
Succeeded by	William Livingston As Governor of New Jersey
Personal details
Born	(1730-02-22)22 February 1730 Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania, British America
Died	17 November 1813(1813-11-17) (aged 83)[a] London, Kingdom of Great Britain
Spouses	Elizabeth Downes ​ ​ (m. 1762; died 1777)​ Mary Johnson d'Evelin ​ ​ (m. 1788; died 1811)​
Relations	Francis Folger Franklin (paternal half-brother) Sarah Franklin Bache (paternal half-sister)
Children	William Temple Franklin
Parent(s)	Benjamin Franklin Deborah Read (stepmother)
Occupation	Soldier, colonial administrator, politician

William Franklin FRSE (22 February 1730 – 17 November 1813) was an American-born attorney, soldier, politician, and colonial administrator. He was the acknowledged extra-marital son of Benjamin Franklin. William Franklin was the last colonial Governor of New Jersey (1763–1776), and a steadfast Loyalist throughout the American Revolutionary War. In contrast, his father Benjamin was, in later life, one of the most prominent of the Patriot leaders of the American Revolution and a Founding Father of the United States.

Following imprisonment by Patriots in 1776 to 1778, William became the chief leader of the Loyalists. From his base in New York City, he organized military units to fight on the British side. In 1782, he went into exile in Britain. He lived in London until his death.
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