Who was the founder of the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1728?

The Pennsylvania Gazette and Its Founding

The Pennsylvania Gazette was a prominent newspaper founded in 1728 that played a significant role in shaping public opinion and disseminating information in the American colonies. Understanding its founding and the key figures behind it provides valuable insights into the newspaper's historical significance.

Samuel Keimer: The Initiator

Contrary to popular belief, the founder of The Pennsylvania Gazette in 1728 was not William Penn, as some may assume due to the state's name, but rather Samuel Keimer. Keimer was a printer and publisher who initiated the publication of the newspaper at that time.

Benjamin Franklin's Association

Although Samuel Keimer started The Pennsylvania Gazette, it was Benjamin Franklin who is more commonly associated with the newspaper. Franklin, along with his partner Hugh Meredith, purchased the paper from Keimer in 1729 and played a significant role in its success.

Final Answer:

The Pennsylvania Gazette was founded by Samuel Keimer in 1728, but Benjamin Franklin is often associated with the paper as he bought it in 1729 and made it successful.

Explanation:

The founder of the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1728 was not William Penn, but rather Samuel Keimer who initiated its publication. However, the newspaper is often associated with Benjamin Franklin, who along with his partner Hugh Meredith, purchased the paper from Keimer in 1729. Franklin is notably recognized for his influence on the newspaper, transforming it into one of the most successful publications of the time in the American colonies. Despite William Penn's significant role as the founder of Pennsylvania and his contributions to the colonists' rights and governance, such as the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania, his direct correlation to the Pennsylvania Gazette is not present in its founding but instead lies within the broader historical context of the colony's development.