William Franklin (1731 – November 16, 1813) was the last Colonial Governor of New Jersey. William was a steadfast Loyalist throughout the Revolutionary War, despite his father's role as one of the most prominent Patriots during the conflict, a difference that tore the two apart.

He was born in Philadelphia, the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin. His mother's identity is unknown though evidence suggests she was a "Low Woman" ^*: he was raised by his father and his common-law wife Deborah Read. He accompanied his father on several missions, including his trips to England.

Though often depicted as a young child, William was 21 years old in 1752. William joined the Pennsylvania Company and fought in Albany in the French and Indian War eventually obtaining the rank of Captain. [http://www.famousamericans.net/williamfranklin/. He completed his education in England, and was admitted to the bar. William and Ben Franklin were partners and confidantes, working together to pursue land grants in the Midwest.

William married Elizabeth Downes on September 4, 1762 and had one illegitimate son, William Temple (mother unknown), who, by mutual decision, was raised by Ben Franklin.

When the family returned from England in 1763, he carried a commission from George III to be the Colonial Governor of New Jersey, secured in large part based on his father's lobbying efforts. As Governor, William Franklin signed the charter for Queen's College, which would evolve into Rutgers University.

Owing to his father's pivotal role as a Founding Father of the American Revolution and William's loyalty to Britain, the relationship between father and son was strained to say the least. When Ben finally decided to take up the patriot's cause, he tried to convince William to join him, but the son stayed steadfastly loyal to the Crown.

William remained as governor until he was arrested by the rebels in 1776. For two years he was held as a prisoner of war. When finally released in 1778he fled to New York City which was still occupied by the British. He left with other Loyalists for England in 1782[http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0819491.html, never to return. William would see his father one last time in 1785, when Ben stopped in Britain following Ben's return from a trip to France.

In his will, Benjamin Franklin left William virtually none of his wealth, stating that had England won the war, the elder Franklin would have had no wealth to leave to his son anywayLast Will and Testament of Benjamin Franklin, accessed July 5, 2006. Neither does Benjamin mention his son in his autobiography except indirectly by the inclusion of a newspaper article in which Ben notes that his (then still in good standing) son may make contracts for the procurement of carts for the British armyBenjamin Franklin. (1706–1790). His Autobiography., accessed July 5, 2006.

William Franklin died in 1813, never having reconciled with his father.

Franklin Township, in Bergen County, was named in his honor, rather than for his father, as was the borough of Franklin Lakes. Franklin Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey, site of the Revolutionary War Battle of Middlebush, was believed by many to have been named for him, though the Franklin Township Council determined in 2000 to espouse the theory that the Township was indeed named for Benjamin Franklin.

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