Story perspectives

Franklin's Forgotten Bid to Annex Canada Revealed

12/6/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Madelaine Drohan, a former journalist and senior fellow at the University of Ottawa, explores the overlooked Canada–United States relationship in He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada.
During a visit to the Château Ramezay museum in Montreal, she recounts discovering Franklin's annexation efforts.
She sees Franklin's portrait at the museum.
The book highlights Franklin's annexation attempts as a significant, forgotten aspect of North American history.

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Story summary

Madelaine Drohan, a former journalist and senior fellow at the University of Ottawa, explores the overlooked Canada–United States relationship in He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada.
During a visit to the Château Ramezay museum in Montreal, she recounts discovering Franklin's annexation efforts.
She sees Franklin's portrait at the museum.
The book highlights Franklin's annexation attempts as a significant, forgotten aspect of North American history.