Ann Smith Franklin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ann Smith Franklin
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| Born |
Ann Smith
October 2, 1696 |
| Died | April 16, 1763 (aged 66) |
| Other names | "Widow Franklin" |
| Occupation | Newspaper/Almanac Printer/Publisher |
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Notable credit(s)
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America's first woman newspaper editor |
| Spouse(s) | James Franklin |
| Children | 5 |
Ann Smith Franklin (October 2, 1696 – April 16, 1763) was a groundbreaking newspaper printer and publisher in early America. She took over her husband's printing business after he passed away. Her husband, James Franklin, was the brother of the famous Benjamin Franklin. Ann was a true pioneer. She was the first woman in the country to edit a newspaper. She was also the first woman to write an almanac. Later, she became the first woman to join the University of Rhode Island's Journalism Hall of Fame.
Contents
Ann Franklin's Family Life
Ann Smith Franklin was married to James Franklin. He was a printer, just like his younger brother, Benjamin Franklin.
Ann and James had five children together. Their children included daughters Mary and Elizabeth, and a son named James Jr. James Jr. learned the printing trade from his uncle Benjamin. Sadly, James Franklin (Ann's husband) died in Newport in 1735. Ann was only 39 years old. She was left to support her three young children on her own.
Ann Franklin's Printing Career
In 1736, Ann asked the government of Rhode Island for printing work. She needed to support her family. The General Assembly of Rhode Island gave her a contract. This made her the official printer for the colony. She held this important job until she died.
As the official printer, she printed the colony's charter. This was a special document granted by Charles II of England. To earn more money, she also printed other things. She printed sermons for ministers. She also printed advertisements for merchants. And she printed popular British novels.
Ann's most famous work was creating and publishing five editions of the Rhode Island Almanack. These almanacs covered the years from 1737 to 1741. In 1741, she started selling her brother-in-law Benjamin's almanac, Poor Richard's Almanac. Later, in 1745, she printed 500 copies of the Acts and Laws of Rhode Island. This was her biggest printing job.
Her children, Mary, Elizabeth, and James Jr., helped with the family business. Her daughters did the typesetting. This means they arranged the metal letters for printing. James Jr. worked with his mother to run the business. It was even called "Ann and James Franklin." However, some of Ann's printed works still used the name "Widow Franklin." In 1758, they published Newport Mercury. This was Rhode Island's very first newspaper.
Ann Franklin's Later Years
As Ann got older, she gave more business tasks to her son, James Jr. After her remaining children passed away, Ann, at 65, returned to the printing press. In 1761, she partnered with printer Samuel Hall. He had been her son-in-law. Their new business was called "Franklin & Hall." They printed official Rhode Island schedules together.
Ann Smith Franklin died in 1763. She was buried in the Newport Common Burying Ground and Island Cemetery.
Ann Franklin's Awards
- Journalism Hall of Fame, University of Rhode Island
- Yankee Quill Award, 2008
- Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame, 1998
See also
In Spanish: Ann Smith Franklin para niños
