Though his reputation for punning and hoaxes is well-documented, “A Question of Utility” shows a side of our Founding Father which is often forgotten. Penned sometime around 1780, this short letter by Benjamin Franklin satirises the scientific pursuits of the Royal Academy of Brussels in a sincere, if humorous, critique of the frivolity and pretension to which our academic institutions can sometimes fall prey. “A Question of Utility” was included as part of the Thornwillow Dispatch in July 2019. To join the community of ideas and subscribe to future publications like this one, visit patreon.com/thornwillow.
