Ralph Archbold CSP, CPAE as Ben Franklin Speaker Bio

Benjamin Franklin, as Ralph Archbold

"If you would not be forgotten as soon as you were dead...either write things worth reading or do things worth the writing." -- Benjamin Franklin

More than 200 years after his death, the timeless wisdom of Benjamin Franklin lives on through an award-winning, authentic portrayal of the famed author and inventor by Ralph Archbold who has addressed over 10,000 audiences in a 30 year career.
As the alias of the elder statesman, Ralph Archbold has earned a following of his own: Ralph was chosen as the official Ben Franklin for the City of Philadelphia, and became the primary spokesman for America's Constitutional Bicentennial Celebration. He has been featured as Ben in "200 Years of Benjamin Franklin's Genius" and is the official Ben Franklin for the University of Pennsylvania, Freedom's Foundation, and The Franklin Institute. Ralph has recently been appointed by The President and Congress to a 15 member Federal Commission to oversee the celebration of Benjamin Franklin's 300th Birthday. (January 17, 2006) His realistic portrayal and stimulating performances have won his appearances on: The Today Show, Good Morning America, The CBS Constitutional Gala, the Disney Channel, Arts and Entertainment, The History Channel, and on all major television networks. Among the numerous distinctions Ralph Archbold has been awarded as Ben Franklin are: Philadelphia Magazine's "Best of Philly Award," the "Invest in America Eagle" award presented to him by Malcolm Forbes, the "Constitutional Eagle" award presented by Warren Burger and the "Council of Peers Award of Excellence" (CPAE, Speaker's Hall of Fame) awarded by the National Speakers Association.
Ralph Archbold is the leading Franklin Portrayer in the world by any measurment. Like his counterpart, Ralph was also born on January 17th. He launched his career as Benjamin Franklin in 1973 during a performance for a historical village and spent years polishing his portrayal before moving to historic Philadelphia in 1982. Since that time he has been delighting thousands of audiences at corporate meetings, conventions and other distinguished gatherings with his talent for combining contemporary thought with the wisdom and witticisms of Franklin's time. "Smash Hit" "Indispensable Sparkle" " Made Our Day"

Are just a few of the comments made by meeting planners following a Ralph Archbold - Ben Franklin presentation. What's the secret to creating such an avid following? Old Ben himself once said, "There is a difference between imitating a man and counterfeiting him." That's why Ralph Archbold doesn't just act Franklin, he lives Franklin. Even before donning one of a variety of costumes from Franklin's era, the gestures, thought-provoking comments, and genuine charm; plus natural physical features including wispy shoulder length hair, are enough to convince even the most avid historians that this is the true Franklin. Ralph Archbold consults his own extensive reference library, as well as those of other well known Franklin collections to tailor more than 400 messages each year for audiences. Whether yours is a corporate meeting, convention, banquet, luncheon, or seminar; for the true Franklin Experience, sage advice will tell you to get the best: Ralph Archbold.

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