Benjamin Franklin and The Hellfire Club
Rosicrucianism • Theosophy • Thelema • Wicca Scottish Rite Freemasonry Francis Dashwood and the Hellfire Club |
Benjamin Franklin’s connection to the Hellfire Club centers on his visits to the Medmenham Abbey in England, where Sir Francis Dashwood hosted gatherings of the Monks of Medmenham—a group often associated with the broader legacy of the Hellfire Club. While Franklin was not officially a member of the Hellfire Club, his close friendship with Dashwood and documented participation in gatherings at Medmenham suggest he was at least tangentially involved with the club’s activities.
Background of the Hellfire Club
The Hellfire Club was a name applied to several exclusive, secretive clubs that emerged in Britain and Ireland during the early 18th century. These clubs were notorious for their libertine behavior, mock religious rituals, and satirical approaches to politics and religion. The most famous and influential Hellfire Club was led by Sir Francis Dashwood (1708–1781) and was formally known as the Order of the Friars of St. Francis of Wycombe or the Monks of Medmenham.
Francis Dashwood and the Medmenham Monks
Dashwood founded the club in 1752 at Medmenham Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery on the banks of the River Thames.
The club’s motto was “Fais ce que tu voudras” (“Do what thou wilt”), which would later be associated with Aleister Crowley and Thelema.
Meetings involved elements of paganism, sexual freedom, alcohol consumption, and blasphemous rituals, including mock religious ceremonies.
Benjamin Franklin’s Involvement
Franklin was a friend of Francis Dashwood and visited him at Medmenham Abbey during his time in England as a colonial representative (1757–1762 and 1764–1775). Franklin was also a Freemason and shared philosophical and political interests with Dashwood and other club members.
Evidence of Franklin’s Involvement:
Franklin’s Visits to Medmenham Abbey
Franklin is known to have visited the abbey on multiple occasions, where he likely witnessed or participated in the club’s meetings. However, there is no direct evidence that he took part in the more scandalous activities.
Political and Intellectual Ties
Franklin and Dashwood collaborated on political and intellectual projects:
- Dashwood was Postmaster General of Britain from 1766 to 1768. Franklin served as Postmaster General for the American colonies, and they worked together to improve postal communication between Britain and America.
- Franklin assisted Dashwood in producing a new translation of the Book of Common Prayer.
Franklin's Reputation for Libertine Behavior Franklin’s known tolerance for open discussion of sexual and philosophical topics, including his writings on morality and free love, aligns with the spirit of the Hellfire Club’s gatherings.
Franklin's Role as an Observer
Franklin may have been more of a guest or observer than an active participant. His writings do not indicate direct involvement in any of the club’s notorious rituals.
Did Franklin Participate in Hellfire Club Activities?
There is no definitive proof that Franklin engaged in the debauchery or mock rituals associated with the Hellfire Club.
However, Franklin’s confirmed presence at Medmenham Abbey and his political and philosophical ties with Dashwood suggest he was familiar with the club’s workings and may have had firsthand knowledge of its more private activities.
Controversy: Franklin’s Link to the Skeletons at 36 Craven Street In 1998, during renovations of Franklin’s former London residence at 36 Craven Street, workers discovered over 1,200 human bones in the basement, dating to the mid-18th century.
While some speculated that the bones were linked to Hellfire Club activities, forensic evidence suggests they were related to anatomical research conducted by William Hewson, a close friend of Franklin who ran a medical school in the house.
Nonetheless, the discovery has fueled conspiracy theories about Franklin’s deeper involvement with secret societies and clandestine activities.
Conclusion
Benjamin Franklin’s relationship with the Hellfire Club remains ambiguous. While he was close to Francis Dashwood and attended Medmenham Abbey gatherings, there is no concrete evidence that he actively participated in the club's more infamous rituals. His involvement seems to have been more intellectual and political than libertine. Still, his presence at the heart of one of Britain’s most controversial secret societies remains a subject of historical intrigue.
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