What was Benjamin Franklin hiding in his London basement?
In short: When historians restored Benjamin Franklin’s former London residence in the 1990s, they discovered a grim mystery: over 1,200 bone fragments hidden in a windowless basement pit. The discovery raised dark questions about the American diplomat's secrets, but the truth reveals a fascinating connection to the history of medical science.
During the 1990s, conservationists working to transform 36 Craven Street—the London home where Benjamin Franklin resided from 1757 through 1775—uncovered a one-meter-wide, one-meter-deep pit. Inside this mysterious, windowless room beneath the garden, they retrieved more than 1,200 pieces of bone. Forensic investigations suggested these remains were quite old, likely buried around the same time Franklin was a tenant in the house. The pit was located directly under the garden. These bones had remained completely unnoticed for centuries until the museum project began.
The discovery included remains from at least 15 people, including children. While the sight of so many skeletons might suggest something sinister, historians believe the site was actually an anatomy school. This school was operated by William Hewson, a young anatomist and protégé of the famous obstetrician William Hunter. Hewson had established his own teaching facility at the house after a dispute with his teacher. The coroner was summoned to the scene following the discovery. This investigation confirmed the ancient nature of the remains.
The connection between the diplomat and the anatomist is deeply personal. Franklin was a boarder in the house owned by Margaret Stevenson, who was Hewson's mother-in-law. Franklin was also a friend of Stevenson's daughter, Polly, who eventually married Hewson. Rather than being a site of crime, the basement likely served as a vital, if clandestine, hub for medical education during the era of the American Revolution. Franklin reportedly supported Hewson's professional career. This relationship highlights the social circles shared by the famous inventor and the medical practitioner.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Numerous Bodies Recently Found in Ben Franklin’s Basement
- Also: Why Were There So Many Skeletons Hidden in Benjamin Franklin's Basement?
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