Franklin, Benjamin A.:

By: Joseph Jacobs , Goodman Lipkind

Jamaica merchant; born at Manchester, England, 1811; died at Kingston, Jamaica, April 26, 1888. He went to the island about the year 1837, and engaged in business, becoming a magistrate and consul for Denmark. The tonnage dues on shipping were abolished mainly at his representation. Franklin founded the Hebrew Benevolent Society in 1851, and promoted the union of the Sephardic and Ashkenazic communities. He was for many years chairman of the Hebrew National Schools, and aided in establishing the Kingston Sailors' Home (in 1864). After returning for ten years to England, he went back to Jamaica and died there.