After education at the collège Bourbon in Paris, Franklin began his literary career by writing feuilletons and theatrical reviews for the popular press.

[1] He contributed articles to many journals, including Bulletin du bouquiniste, Bulletin du bibliophile, Bibliophile illustré, Nouvelle biographie générale, Paris à travers les âges, and L’Intermédiaire des chercheurs et curieux.

In 1875 Alfred Franklin published two works of fiction: an historical novel Ameline du Bourg and an alternate history novella Les Ruines de Paris en 4875.

[3] He also published Mœurs et coutumes des Parisiens en 1882 under the pen name Alfred Mantien.

[1] Alfred Franklin, a nephew of Pastor Montaudon, was, from 1865 to 1903, the treasurer of the Société d'histoire du protestantisme français.