Benjamin Franklin

"Franklin" redirects here. For other uses, see Franklin (disambiguation).

Benjamin Franklin, as painted by Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1777)

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790), known as "the First American", was an American statesman. He was a very important person in the American Revolution and in making the 13 colonies one nation. As a leader of the Enlightenment, he influenced European scientists. He even was the first thing many Europeans associated with America at the time. His success with the French military was an important factor in America's win over Great Britain.

Early Life and Family

Franklin was born in 1707 in Boston. He was an apprentice when he was working in his father's candle-making shop. Ben loved books and reading. He grew to be quite rich, but he gave up his printing career to do other things related to the sciences.

Inventions

He was scientist and he studied experiments.

Most people see Franklin as one of history's greatest inventors. One of his greatest contributions was his superior grasp of electricity, and the invention of the lightning rod and bifocals (a type of eyeglasses), among other things.

Legacy

Although Franklin owned slaves, towards the end of his life he freed them, and became an abolitionist.

The city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (where he lived) marked his three hundredth birthday in 2006.

A picture of Franklin has been on the United States' hundred-dollar bill since 1928. He was also on the fifty-cent coin for a short time.

References

1. Feldman, Eve B. Benjamin Franklin: Scientist and Inventor. New York: Library of Congress, 1990. Print.

Other websites

• Three Hundredth Anniversary Website
• Project Gutenberg: Franklin's autobiography
• Guide to Benjamin Franklin
• US State Department bio
• Website for PBS Franklin Television Series