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Benjamin Franklin, engraving after Mason Chamberlin

Mason Chamberlin · 1762

An engraving made in 1762 from a portrait of Benjamin Franklin painted during his lifetime.

This portrait shows Franklin as he appeared during his years in London, presenting himself as a man of learning.

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Engraved portrait of an older man with white hair, seated in a chair, holding a quill and a small inkwell, with a book on a table at right and a framed picture on the wall behind him. Signature "Benj. Franklin" printed below.
Benjamin Franklin. Engraving after Mason Chamberlin, 1762. Wellcome Collection.

About this source

What it is

This engraving was made in 1762 after a portrait of Benjamin Franklin by the artist Mason Chamberlin. It shows Franklin seated, holding a quill and inkwell, with a book nearby. It is held by the Wellcome Collection.

Why it matters

Made while Franklin was living in London, this image reflects how he wished to be seen at the time — as a learned man of letters and science. Portraits like this helped shape his public image abroad, long before he became known as a revolutionary statesman.

Look closer

  • What objects surround Franklin, and what do they suggest about how he wanted to be remembered?
  • Why might an engraving be made from a painted portrait instead of the original?
  • What does this image tell us about Franklin's life in London at this time?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Benjamin Franklin on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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