Benjamin Franklin Biography |

The Biography of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and an accomplished inventor, author, scientist, and diplomat.

He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the youngest son of a soap and candle maker.

Despite only receiving a few years of formal education, he became one of his time’s most respected and influential figures. This is his story.

Early Life and Career of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1706.

His father, Josiah Franklin, was a candlemaker, and his mother, Abiah Folger, was a homemaker.

Benjamin was the youngest of 17 children, and his parents were strict Puritans who instilled in him a strong work ethic and a love of learning.

As a child, Franklin attended Boston Latin School for two years before being forced to leave due to financial difficulties.

At 12, he began working as an apprentice in his brother’s printing shop, learning the printing trade and developing his writing skills.

By age 16, Franklin was contributing articles to his brother’s newspaper, the New England Courant, under the pseudonym “Silence Dogood.”

In 1723 at 17, Franklin ran away from his apprenticeship and moved to Philadelphia, where he worked as a printer and continued to develop his writing skills.

He eventually started his own printing business and published the Pennsylvania Gazette, one of the most popular newspapers in the colonies.

Inventor and Scientist

In addition to his career as a printer and writer, Benjamin Franklin was also a prolific inventor and scientist.

He is best known for his experiments with electricity, including the famous kite experiment in which he proved that lightning was a form of electricity.

Franklin also invented the lightning rod, which is still used today to protect buildings from lightning strikes.

Franklin was also a pioneer in the field of meteorology. He invented the first practical system for measuring wind direction and developed a theory of storms that was later proven accurate.

He also studied the Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico to the North Atlantic, and discovered that it could reduce travel time between Europe and America.

Read Also: The Biography of Leonardo Da Vinci

Political Career

Benjamin Franklin was deeply involved in politics throughout his life.

He served as a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly and was instrumental in drafting the Pennsylvania Constitution, which became a model for other state constitutions and the U.S. Constitution.

He also served as the postmaster general of the colonies, a position he held for over 20 years.

During the American Revolution, Franklin served as a diplomat and ambassador to France, where he played a crucial role in securing French support for the American cause.

He was also a member of the Continental Congress and was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Later Years

After the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin returned to the United States and continued to be active in politics and public service.

He served as the governor of Pennsylvania and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, where he played a key role in shaping the U.S. Constitution.

Later, Franklin advocated for social causes, including abolition and women’s rights.

He founded the first public library in the United States and strongly supported education, believing that an educated populace was essential for a democratic society.

Legacy of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin died on April 17, 1790, at 84. He is remembered as one of the most influential figures in American history and a true Renaissance man.

His inventions, writings, and political achievements continue to inspire people worldwide.

Read Also: The Biography of Geeta Rabari

Conclusion

Ben Franklin was unquestionably one of the founding generation’s most prominent figures. No American has spent more time on the world stage or had a bigger impact in a wider range of fields than this brilliant guy.

In many aspects, Franklin’s life appears to have been centered on the betterment of humanity.

Franklin was one of those rare, exceptional guys who excelled at everything they attempted, and his list of accomplishments is simply astounding.