Boston Latin School - Benjamin Franklin

51 School St

The Benjamin Franklin Monument marks the site for the Boston Latin School, the oldest public school in America (1635) and still in operation today. Some of its famous students include Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Sam Adams, and John Adams just to name a few. Of those four students, three went on to Harvard, and one dropped out but then went on to invent the Franklin stove and bifocals. Now it’s relocated near Longwood Medical Area.

Since the French and Indian War, Franklin supported the American cause. As tensions rose in the colonies, the Franklin press continued to publish pro-independence articles and stories. In 1751, Franklin was elected to represent the Pennsylvania assembly in the British parliament in London. He made connections in England with parliament officials and worked to settle disputes between the colonies and Britain. Franklin temporarily returned home until he was sent back to London in 1765 to testify against the Stamp Act. the Pennsylvania Assembly elected Franklin to the Second Continental Congress. While serving as a delegate for Pennsylvania, Franklin served as the United States' first postmaster general. In October 1776, Franklin was assigned the duty of Ambassador to France. To beat the British, the colonist needed European aid, and it was Franklin's mission to convince France to help the United States. In 1783, Franklin aided in the surrender under the Treaty of Paris.

The seal picture shows Franklin’s proposal of a biblical themed official seal for the USA. Although not accepted the draft reveals the religious temper of the period.

On July 4, 1776, Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams "to bring in a device for a seal for the United States of America." Franklin's proposal adapted the biblical story of the parting of the Red Sea (left). Jefferson first recommended the "Children of Israel in the Wilderness, led by a Cloud by Day, and a Pillar of Fire by night. . . ." He liked the motto “Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God” so much that he used it on his personal seal.

Jefferson then embraced Franklin's proposal and presented the revision to the committee to Congress on August 20. Although not accepted these drafts reveal the religious temper of the Revolutionary period. Franklin and Jefferson were among the most theologically liberal of the Founders, yet they used biblical imagery for this important task. Franklin’s image is the icon for this point.

The seal depicted is “Rays from a pillar of Fire in the clouds reaching to Moses” (See last link for source)

Boston Latin School was converted to Old City Hall. For 104 years Boston’s mayors held court here until they move into City Hall’s Current location (across from Faneuil Hall), New City Hall (1969). It was torn down in 1745 to make way for an expanded King’s Chapel (See Boston Latin School Links)

-Source Links-

https://greatseal.com/committees/firstcomm/reverse.html

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/benjamin-franklin

https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel04.html#obj104 Seal Source