# Scientific Experiments explained — The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin > Chapter companion for The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin. ## What happens Franklin recounts the rise of his philosophical reputation, beginning with electric experiments in Boston in 1746 and the gift of a glass tube from Peter Collinson. He describes his own experiments, the involvement of Mr. Kinnersley, and the eventual recognition of his work by the Royal Society after initial skepticism. The chapter covers the translation of his papers into French, the controversy with Abbé Nollet, the successful lightning experiments at Marly and with a kite, and his election to the Royal Society with the Copley Medal. ## Themes in this chapter ### Education and Self-Learning Franklin's self-directed study and practice of electric experiments, building on a single demonstration and a gift of a tube. ### Practical Wisdom and Common Sense Franklin's decision not to engage in a lengthy dispute with Abbé Nollet, focusing instead on new experiments. ### The Value of Networking and Reputation Correspondence with Collinson, Fothergill, and others leads to publication, translation, and eventual acclaim in Europe. ## Character check-ins ### Benjamin Franklin Narrator and central figure; conducts electric experiments, corresponds with Collinson, and gains international recognition. ### Peter Collinson Fellow of the Royal Society who sends Franklin a glass tube and later facilitates publication of his papers. ### Ebenezer Kinnersley Ingenious neighbor encouraged by Franklin to perform electric experiments for money; lectures based on Franklin's notes. ### John Fothergill Dr. Fothergill recognizes the value of Franklin's papers and advises their printing, writing the preface. ### Jean-Antoine Nollet Abbé Nollet, a French philosopher who disputes Franklin's theories and publishes letters against him. ### Dalibard Translates Franklin's papers into French and performs the lightning experiment at Marly. ## Key lines > In 1746, being at Boston, I met there with a Dr. Spence, who was lately arrived from Scotland, and showed me some electric experiments. In 1746, while in Boston, I encountered Dr. Spence, recently from Scotland, who demonstrated electric experiments to me. _Franklin's introduction to electricity via a visiting doctor._ > I eagerly seized the opportunity of repeating what I had seen at Boston; and, by much practice, acquired great readiness in performing those, also, which we had an account of from England, adding a number of new ones. I eagerly repeated the Boston experiments and, through extensive practice, became skilled at performing both known and new experiments. _Franklin's hands-on approach to mastering electricity._ > One paper, which I wrote for Mr. Kinnersley, on the sameness of lightning with electricity, I sent to Dr. Mitchel, an acquaintance of mine, and one of the members also of that society, who wrote me word that it had been read, but was laughed at by the connoisseurs. I sent a paper to Dr. Mitchel arguing that lightning and electricity are the same, but it was ridiculed by experts in the Royal Society. _Initial rejection of Franklin's lightning-electricity theory._ > I therefore never answered M. Nollet, and the event gave me no cause to repent my silence; for my friend M. le Roy, of the Royal Academy of Sciences, took up my cause and refuted him; I chose not to reply to M. Nollet, and my silence proved wise as my friend M. le Roy defended and vindicated my work. _Franklin's strategic avoidance of a public dispute._ > Without my having made any application for that honour, they chose me a member, and voted that I should be excused the customary payments, which would have amounted to twenty-five guineas; and ever since have given me their Transactions gratis. Without any request from me, the Royal Society elected me as a member, waived the usual fees of twenty-five guineas, and provided their Transactions free of charge. _Franklin's election to the Royal Society as an honor._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters/xviii-scientific-experiments - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters