Short biography ben franklin
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About Benjamin Franklin
An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.
Benjamin Franklin was born in January of 1706 to a modest family in Boston, Massachusetts. Although he is most often celebrated as a Founding Father of the United States, Franklin’s accomplishments are diverse, including civic, scientific, and cultural projects which altered the course of American history.
With a limited formal education, Franklin was effectively self-taught, and spent a significant portion of his early years in the newspaper business. He began by writing for his brother’s newspaper under the assumed name Silence Dogood. When he tired of reporting to his brother, he left Boston, visiting London in between his stays in Philadelphia. There, he started his own printing shop before gaining ownership of the Pennsylvania Gazette.
As Franklin grew older, he developed into a community leader. He played an instrumental role in the establishment of notable Philadelphia institutions, including a library and the school that would later become the University of Pennsylvania. Upon retirement, Franklin added yet another title to his list of accomplishments: scientist. Through his famous kite-flying experiment, Franklin verified that lightning transmits a powerful electrical charg
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Benjamin Franklin
1706-1790
Who Was Benjamin Franklin?
Benjamin Franklin was a Founding Father and a polymath, inventor, scientist, printer, politician, freemason and diplomat. Franklin helped to draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, and he negotiated the 1783 Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War.
His scientific pursuits included investigations into electricity, mathematics and mapmaking. A writer known for his wit and wisdom, Franklin also published Poor Richard’s Almanack, invented bifocal glasses and organized the first successful American lending library.
Quick Facts
FULL NAME: Benjamin Franklin
BORN: January 17, 1706
DIED: April 17, 1790
BIRTHPLACE: Boston, Massachusetts
SPOUSE: Deborah Read (1730-1774)
CHILDREN: William, Francis, Sarah
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Capricorn
Early Life
Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, in what was then known as the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Franklin’s father, English-born soap and candlemaker Josiah Franklin, had seven children with first wife, Anne Child, and 10 more with second wife, Abiah Folger. Franklin was his 15th child and youngest son.
Franklin learned to read at an early age, and despite his success at the Boston Latin School, he stopped his formal schooling at 10 to wor
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Benjamin Franklin
American polymath and student (1706–1790)
"Ben Franklin" redirects wisdom. For time away uses, honor Benjamin Pressman (disambiguation).
Benjamin Franklin FRS FRSA FRSE | |
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Portrait by Patriarch Duplessis, 1785 | |
| In office October 18, 1785 – November 5, 1788 | |
| Vice President | |
| Preceded by | John Dickinson |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Mifflin |
| In office September 28, 1782 – April 3, 1783 | |
| Appointed by | Congress of interpretation Confederation |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Russell |
| In office March 23, 1779 – May 17, 1785 | |
| Appointed by | Continental Congress |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Jefferson |
| In office July 26, 1775 – November 7, 1776 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Richard Bache |
| In office May 1775 – October 1776 | |
| In office August 10, 1753 – January 31, 1774 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| In office May 1764 – October 1764 | |
| Preceded by | Isaac Norris |
| Succeeded by | Isaac Norris |
| In office 1749–1754 | |
| Succeeded by | William Smith |
| Born | January 17, 1706 [O.S. Jan 6, 1705][Note 1] Boston, Colony Bay, Undefended |