If the title above looks vaguely familiar, it is because last month’s piece was entitled, “Benjamin Franklin, Reinventor”. When I thought about recent experiences in my work as Benjamin Franklin interpreter, it occurred to me that there has been a bit of re-inventing for me…
It was my privilege, as it has been in the past, to work with my good friend Dr. George Boudreau, director of Public History of LaSalle University, for the past two weeks. George conducted a National Endowment for the Humanities sponsored seminar, entitled Teaching Franklin….
News of Historical Interest: Founding Gardeners One of the most exciting happenings in historic Philadelphia is the building of the new Museum of the American Revolution, which will open in the heart of the Historic District this fall. The folks at AmRev are not sitting…
This month I would like to suggest some reading materials. One of the things I like to do in this newsletter is to share new and interesting discoveries on the subject of history. If you can get access to the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and…
BILL ROBLING AS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN March 2016 I am constantly rewarded with new information and inspiration in my work as Benjamin Franklin. This month I became aware of a new book about Franklin’s time in London (a book review will follow soon). Contrary to what…
Bill Robling as Benjamin Franklin In this newsletter and blog, I try to talk each month about my interpretation of Benjamin Franklin. One ongoing process in historical interpretation is distinguishing between oneself and one’s character. The frequent question that I get from my spouse is,…
Diversity in First Person Interpretations As a Gemini-Cancer cusp I have found much satisfaction, and dare I say, delight, in portraying a plethora of historical figures. I have had the honor to present and educate people in venues from Boston to Washington DC. My multi-faceted…
WHEN DO YOU NEED BENJAMIN FRANKLIN? When conversing with people about what I do, I am often asked how often anyone would need to hire Benjamin Franklin. There seems to be a limited view of the scope of possibilities for such an interaction. Please allow…
Bill Robling’s Many Facets In this blog I am always pointing out Benjamin Franklin’s diverse interests and accomplishments. I attempt to bring the same diversity and flexibility to my portrayal of Dr. Franklin. You will never find me to be just a man dressed up…
Bill Robling in Franklin’s Shadow I am constantly amazed, and humbled, by the burden of portraying Benjamin Franklin. It is, of course, a great honor and a delight. When I consider, however, how many people are either portraying. or depicting, Franklin as a cartoon figure…
Passionate Pursuit of Portrayal I have been interpreting the life of Benjamin Franklin for the past thirteen years. I am frequently asked why I engage in such a pursuit. Many questions that I am asked require careful thought in order to answer them, but not…
A 21st Century Message When portraying Ben Franklin, it is always my intent to stay in character, being a “first-person” interpreter. Given, however, that I am called upon to do so many different things in that character, including events that lean more toward entertainment than…
Being Ben Franklin “Aren’t you dead?” “You’re not Benjamin Franklin. You’re lying!” These are a couple of the comments that I get, mostly from children, but not always. But I also get, “Wow, you look just like him.” And, “Thank you. This is such a…
Being Benjamin Franklin I have spent the past thirteen years portraying Dr. Franklin, and interpreting his life. A big part of that work involves spending hundreds upon hundreds of hours studying the man and the life, as well as the times that Franklin lived in….
Bill Robling as Benjamin Franklin Bill Robling has shared his unique interpretation and portrayal of Dr. Franklin for the past thirteen years, both in Philadelphia and beyond. He has worked with Historic Philadelphia, Inc., The American Historical Theatre, The National Park Service, The Independence Visitor…
Bill Robling has been interpreting the life and personage of Benjamin Franklin for over thirteen years. An actor for nearly forty years, Bill is a serious and passionate student of history, with a commitment to bringing that history to life in a personal, accurate, sometimes…
Bill Robling has been portraying and interpreting Benjamin Franklin for more than a dozen years, and has been acting for nearly forty years. As a serious student of history, Bill has logged thousands of hours of research into the life of Franklin and his contemporaries,…
I come to the study of Benjamin Franklin with a background of nearly forty years as an actor, having also worked as a middle school teacher, and as a corporate training professional. Most important, I have logged thousands of hours studying Benjamin Franklin and his…
