Final answer:
Benjamin Rush, a founding father and humanitarian, opposed the death penalty, which makes the statement false. He supported various social reforms including penal reform. The Supreme Court has placed limitations on the application of the death penalty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question is B. false. Benjamin Rush was indeed opposed to the death penalty; he was a noted physician, humanitarian, and a founding father of the United States, who advocated for various social reforms, including the abolition of capital punishment. This position aligns with the contributions of Rush to penal reform and his advocacy for more humane treatment of individuals, including the mentally ill.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Franklin was involved with the first abolitionist society in America, which opposed slavery, not specifically the death penalty. Additionally, the Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty may not be applied to those who were under 18 when they committed a crime, signifying that it is not considered always 'cruel and unusual punishment' under all circumstances, but there are limitations to its application.