The United States’ first public library, located just outside Boston, was founded with books from Benjamin Franklin’s private collection. It was named Franklin Public Library in his honor.
Franklin was a famous inventor, innovator, and statesman. He spent time in France helping John Adams secure France’s support in the Colonies’ War of Independence from England.
Author David McCullough won a Pulitzer Prize for his fascinating biography on John Adams and the unique circumstances of those early days in our country’s history.
It seems that Dr. Franklin was a rather cantankerous old fellow, and he and Adams did not always see eye-to-eye.
But which library is the oldest of them all?
That is apparently a subject of great debate, and great precision. The Sturgis Library in Massachusetts has done some interesting research on the subject. You can read about their findings here.
But don’t just read about libraries, do yourself a favor and go visit one!
