Home Contact Us Job Search Select a location About Us Investor Relations News Center Corporate Governance Careers Home History Print Share HISTORY Franklin Templeton has grown from being recognized as one of the best small companies in America to being considered a premier global investment management organization. We offer clients a valuable perspective shaped by our seven decades of experience, investment expertise and growing global reach. 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s The company was founded in 1947 in New York by Rupert H. Johnson, Sr., who ran a successful retail brokerage firm from an office on Wall Street. He named the company for US founding father Benjamin Franklin because Franklin epitomized the ideas of frugality and prudence when it came to saving and investing. The company's first line of mutual funds, Franklin Custodian Funds, was a series of conservatively managed equity and bond funds designed to appeal to most investors. Photo of Rupert H. Johnson. Important legal information Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. is the primary underwriter of Franklin Templeton’s US- registered funds mentioned in this timeline. Such funds are offered by prospectus. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com. ABOUT US Why Choose Franklin Templeton? Global Citizenship FRI Directors and Officers History Our Global Offices Contact Us INVESTOR RELATIONS Overview Financial Information Stock Information Events & Presentations Stockholder Services Ben Stockholder Services NEWS CENTER Press releases CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FRI Corporate Governance Documents FRI Board of Directors and Contacts FRI Directors and Officers CAREERS Overview Who We Are Working at FTI Our Stories Culture Diversity and Inclusion Locations Job Search Terms of Use Privacy Anti-Corruption Policy Copyright © 2021 Franklin Templeton. All Rights Reserved. Connect with us: Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Twitter Instagram TOP Franklin Templeton uses cookies to analyse website usage, personalise your website experience and assist in our marketing efforts. You can review more details and change your cookie settings, or for more information view our Privacy & Cookies Notice. ALLOW ALL