Ralph Archbold

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Ralph Archbold is a Philadelphia-area speaker best known for his impersonation of U.S. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. Archbold began impersonating Franklin in 1973 for a local summer production in Dearborn, Michigan. He enjoyed the role so much he read over 200 of Franklin's books, and realized that he was born on Franklin's birthday, January 17. He began performing at schools full time, and in 1981 moved to Philadelphia to continue his impersonation in Franklin's home city where demand was higher. He currently gives frequent speeches for company meetings, and is regularly seen sitting on a park bench in Franklin Court.