The people who got us out from under the thumb of the British were badasses, but Benjamin Franklin was surely the badassiest of them all. True facts about BF: self-made, loved tofu, abolitionist, had little use for religious dogma but prayed daily to “the Infinite,” wrote frankly about sex, made a fortune writing proverbs, charted and named the Gulf Stream, passionately believed in free speech and giving back. Funny, industrious, bit of a louche, and was clearly done with fancy wigs and clothes by the end. Thank you, Infinite, that this “rustic” genius was ours. Great little miniature portrait, too.

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