Benjamin Franklin VI - Hellfire

6 of 7. Secret Societies, Masons, and The Hellfire Club. Benjamin Franklin wrote the bylaws for the Masonic Lodge in Philadelphia and initiated Voltaire in to the Masons Lodge in Paris. He also stayed often in the guest cottage on the Dashwood estate and joined Sir Francis Dashwood in pagan debauchery in the man-made Hellfire Caves of West Wycombe. Orgy, drink, and pagan-esq ritual with parliamentarians and lords: John Montagu, John Wilks, and others helped form useful connections. And it was fun. Professor of World History Joe Wojie is joined by American historians Britnee Smith, Ted Sisco, and Madam Toni Levitt. https://www.patreon.com/grimphilly - for your kind support of Grim Philly Podcast. https://www.grimphilly.com/podcast - for suggested Grim Philly Podcast episodes to listen to, and for our archive of back episodes of Grim Philly Podcast in Philadelphia.