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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CGaXxnPMxF6iEi0ajQlzfSdZqpuyMp57Gcf4gxG5+i4kbk6w/JNiA7f591jbhueO
 XcTDH9VoD5zlY3JQ/3juaA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000038777-04-000009.txt : 20040113
<SEC-HEADER>0000038777-04-000009.hdr.sgml : 20040113
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040113173316
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000038777-04-000009
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040113
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040113

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000833040
		IRS NUMBER:				943077602
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0831

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY
		CITY:			SAN MATEO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94403-1906
		BUSINESS PHONE:		650-312-2000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY
		CITY:			SAN MATEO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94403-1906

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOLIDAY EDITH E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001015844

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-05569
		FILM NUMBER:		04523510

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3239 38TH STREET NW
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			20016
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4153126505

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		FRANKLIN RESOURCES INC
		STREET 2:		901 MARINERS ISLAND BLVD 6TH FL
		CITY:			SAN MATEO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94404
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-13</periodOfReport>


    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000833040</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FUT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001015844</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HOLIDAY EDITH E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>FRANKLIN TEMPLETON INVESTMENTS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN MATEO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94403</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Edith E. Holiday</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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