Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the United States. Unlike many of his contemporaries, however, Franklin had a life outside politics as well. He was expert in a variety of subjects and active in many careers throughout his life. He made great contributions through his writings and scientific experiments as well as through his political efforts.

Early years

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts . He was the fifteenth of seventeen children born to Abiah Folger and Josiah Franklin, a candle and soap maker. Franklin had only two years of formal schooling before being apprenticed to his father at age ten. Franklin disliked the work, so he sought a printer's apprenticeship with an older brother.

Franklin spent five years working and learning to be an expert printer. A successful printer needed to be a researcher, writer, and editor as well as the technician who set the type and printed the page. Franklin excelled at this craft and learned to write well on many subjects.

At seventeen, Franklin followed his brother to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , where he continued to work as a printer. In 1724, Franklin left Pennsylvania for England. He lived there for five years while continuing to write and perfect his skills as a printer. Franklin appreciated the lifestyle of London and the European continent, but he returned to Philadelphia in 1729.

Printing and other livelihoods

In Philadelphia, Franklin purchased the bankrupt Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper and turned it into the main publishing house in Pennsylvania. He also began his most famous publication, Poor Richard's Almanack, writing under the name Richard Saunders. It was a collection of astronomical information, advice about medicine, and moral anecdotes. During this time, Franklin also operated a bookstore, became clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly, and served as postmaster for Philadelphia.

On September 1, 1730, Deborah Read became Benjamin Franklin's common-law wife (living together but not legally married). Franklin refused to marry Read because she had debts from a first marriage that would become his debts if they married. The couple had two children together, in 1736 and 1743. They also raised an illegitimate son fathered by Franklin around 1729.

Retirement

By the time Franklin was forty-two, his business interests were very successful. He sold them and retired comfortably on the proceeds for the next twenty years. During retirement, Franklin devoted himself mainly to civic and governmental affairs.

Among his contributions to early American politics, Franklin served in the Second Continental Congress, where in the summer of 1776 he helped write the Declaration of Independence . (See also Continental Congress, Second .) During the American Revolution (1775–83), Franklin negotiated an important alliance with France. He continued to serve as a diplomat in France for nine years before returning to Philadelphia. In 1787, Franklin attended the Constitutional Convention , during which members wrote the U.S. Constitution .

Franklin is remembered for his avid interest in science. His curiosity led to experiments and inventions that benefited society. His experiments with electricity resulted in the creation of lightning rods, which protect buildings from lightning bolts. Franklin's understanding of heat inspired production of the Franklin stove, which enabled a more efficient heating of large rooms in winter. Other scientific endeavors included the invention of bifocal lenses and work in ship design and meteorology.

Franklin's hard work and successes earned him great attention. He received honorary degrees from Harvard, Yale, and Oxford universities. As a result of his scientific labors, Franklin was elected as a fellow to the distinguished Royal Society of London, a group of English scientists, in 1756.

Benjamin Franklin spent his final days living with his daughter in Philadelphia. He died there on April 17, 1790.