Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was an American author, scientist, inventor, intellectual, politician, and diplomat. A leading Founding Father, he has also been known as “the First American.” A very important person during the American Revolution, he helped make the Thirteen Colonies one nation.

As a leader of the Enlightenment, he influenced European scientists. He was even the first person to be associated by many Europeans with America at the time. His successful diplomacy in France was an important factor in the Americans’ victory over Great Britain.

Childhood and family

Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts. After two years of school, he stayed home as an apprentice in his father’s candle-making shop. Two years later, he went to work at his brother James’ printing shop. While working there, Franklin secretly wrote articles for the newspaper and labeled them as being written by “Mrs. Silence Dogood.” When his brother found out, the quarrel made Franklin at the age of 17 run away to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; then to London, England; and finally back to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Franklin loved books and reading. Franklin at the age of 21 established the colonies’ first circulation library for all interested citizens. He became rich and famous as a printer, publisher, and writer. Later, he sold his businesses and became busy with science and politics.

Political life

Franklin was very important in Pennsylvanian and early American politics. He was a leader in the city of Philadelphia, where he did many important things. He was the President of the Academy and College of Philadelphia. Later, he became a councilman, a justice of the peace, and then a representative of the city. He also started one of the first public libraries in Philadelphia. For many years, the postmaster of Philadelphia, and in 1753 became Postmaster General of the Thirteen Colonies. In 1757, he went to live in London as an agent for Pennsylvania and later for other colonies.

He was in the Continental Congress, which led the country during the American Revolutionary War, and he helped write the United States Declaration of Independence. He controlled the postal service as Postmaster General. As an ambassador to France, he helped persuade the country to join the war against Great Britain. He also helped negotiate the peace. Later, he was a member of the Constitutional Convention, which made the Constitution of the United States.

Publications

Franklin called himself a printer but is also known for his writings. Among some of the more well-known ones are Poor Richard’s Almanack and the Pennsylvania Gazette.

Inventions

Franklin was a scientist and did experiments in an effort to improve or correct science. One of his greatest contributions was in the scientific theory of electricity through the Leyden jar.

Most people see Franklin as one of history’s greatest inventors. For example, he invented the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, and the glass harmonica.

Death

Franklin died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from pleurisy on April 17, 1790 at the age of 84.

Legacy

Franklin left a considerable legacy. He helped advance American innovation, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, tried to pursue peaceful resolutions with Native Americans, and performed humanitarian aid to local peoples. He build incredible civic structures like libraries, hospitals, and universities. He also created the United States Post Office.

He discovered the secret of electricity and later invented the lightning rod, which saved many people’s houses and lives by protecting them from lightning strikes. He also promoted freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and freedom of speech. Ben was a critical instrument in winning the American Revolutionary War by diplomacy to France, and he raised funds and troops with the help of France. He also signed off on the Constitution.

Franklin’s funeral took place on April 21, 1790 in Philadelphia; it was one of the largest public gatherings in early American history. More than 20,000 people, nearly the entire population of the city, came to pay their respects. The funeral procession included members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, representatives of civic and religious organizations, the American Philosophical Society, Freemasons, and ordinary citizens both black and white. His wide appeal across different segments of society was evident in the diversity and size of the crowd.

He was buried at Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia beside his wife, Deborah. His grave is marked with a simple stone inscribed “Benjamin and Deborah Franklin.” News of his death spread far beyond America. In France, the National Constituent Assembly honored him by wearing black and mourning for three days. His funeral was not just a local event since it was a tribute from a grateful nation and a world that admired his intellect, diplomacy, and lifelong service to humanity.

The city of Philadelphia, where he lived, marked his 300th birthday in 2006. Many streets and a few towns are named after him.

A picture of Franklin has been on the United States one-hundred-dollar bill since 1928, the only person who was never president to do so in a bill in general circulation other than Alexander Hamilton, who is on the United States ten-dollar bill. Franklin was also on the fifty-cent coin from 1948 to 1963.

Benjamin Franklin was born on Milk Street in Boston on January 17, 1706 and baptized at Old South Meeting House. His father, Josiah Franklin, was a tallow chandler, a maker of candles and soap, whose second wife, Abiah Folger, was Benjamin’s mother.

Benjamin was the fifteenth child and youngest son. Did You Know?

In 1733, Franklin began to publish the famous Poor Richard’s Almanack (with content both original and borrowed) under the pseudonym Richard Saunders, on which much of his popular reputation is based.

At the age of forty-two, Benjamin retired from printing to explore his other interests including inventing new and exciting things.

Franklin’s father intended for Ben to become a clergyman but he didn’t have enough money for years of schooling that would require. Because of Ben’s love of his books, he was apprenticed to one of older brothers, James, who was a printer. He attended Boston Latin School but did not graduate; he continued his education through reading lots and lots of books at home.

Lots of problems. He had a very busy life and came up with lots of problems that needed fixing. One thing that always fascinated Benjamin was electricity. One stormy night his son, William, and Benjamin were experimenting with lightning. At this time people thought that lightning was a mysterious force that was a punishment from God; however, he wanted to prove that lightning is a form of electricity.

Benjamin attached a pointed metal piece on the top of his kite and a metal key to the base of the string. Lightning struck the kite and traveled down the kite straight to the key. When he touched the key with his knuckle, there was a spark! It’s a good thing he didn’t electrocute himself (although he was knocked unconscious twice before when experimenting with electricity, so don’t try this at home!), but he did prove that lightning is electricity!

After his experiments with electricity, he invented the lightning rod to protect buildings and ships from lightning damage.

He also invented swim fins, bifocal glasses, a glass armonica, watertight bulkheads for ships, the lightning rod, an odometer and a new type of wood stove (called the Franklin stove).

Buildings and ships are now protected from lightning. Lightning strikes used to cause lots of fires that destroyed buildings and killed people. Now this happens much less.

Franklin died on April 17, 1790, at age 84. His funeral was attended by approximately 20,000 people.