Benjamin Cromwell Franklin (April 25, 1805 - December 25, 1873) was the first judge of the Republic of Texas.
Franklin was born in Georgia, and educated at Franklin College in Athens, before being admitted to the bar in 1827. In 1835, he travelled to Texas, and supported a declaration of war against Mexico. On April 7, 1836, he became a captain of the Texan army.
In March 1836, the Republic of Texas captured a United States-owned brig, Pocket. Upon realising that this action could alienate the United States, the Texan government took steps to investigate the matter, and David Gouverneur Burnet appointed Franklin district judge of Brazoria to investigate the matter. Franklin resigned his judgeship in 1839, moving to Galveston to practice law.
Although it is not officially recorded, Franklin County is generally believed to have been named after Benjamin Cromwell Franklin.
