‘Peanuts' character Franklin created in wake of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination

At first glance, it may seem like the “Peanuts” strip cartoons would have little to do with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

However, a new exhibit at the Charles M. Schulz museum entitled “50 Years of Franklin” showcases a little known, African-American classmate of Peppermint Patty and Marcie named Franklin. The exhibit will be on display from Jan. 13 to Aug. 5.

Following the tragic assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Schulz received a letter from a Los Angeles schoolteacher named Harriet Glickman, who urged the “Peanuts” creator to integrate the comic strip with the hopes of helping to influence the racial attitudes of America at the time.

The result of their correspondence was a confident, industrious and quiet kid who was introduced to the comic strip on July 31, 1968. The character of Franklin would quickly become a fan-favorite and a series regular.

Franklin's inclusion on the strip was no small peanuts - it was a significant step forward for the civil rights movement, as evidenced by the reaction of readers at the time. “I have wanted to introduce a black character for some time … the reaction was tremendous. We got quite a stack of mail saying ‘thank you,'” Charles M. Schulz said in 1970.

Not everyone shared in the enthusiasm at the time. Schulz received a letter from a southern editor saying, “I don't mind you having a black character, but please don't show them in school together.” Schulz ignored the request and treated Franklin no different than any other character in the comic strip.

Franklin's last appearance in the comic strip came in 1999, the year before Schulz's death.

Schulz and Glickman's letter correspondence are on display at the exhibit, along with several comic strips featuring the character of Franklin.