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Who Is Benjamin Franklin

Who Is Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was one of the most influential founding fathers of the United States. He was a polymath and helped to shape American politics, science, and culture. In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of Benjamin Franklin.

Early Life and Career

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the youngest of 17 children in a large, poor family. Franklin attended school for only two years and was mainly self-taught. He became an apprentice to his older brother, who was a printer, and learned the trade of printing and publishing. Franklin also began writing articles for his brother’s newspaper, and his natural talent for writing soon became evident.

In 1723, Franklin left Boston and moved to Philadelphia, where he worked as a printer and writer. He soon established himself as one of the leading voices in Philadelphia and became involved in local politics and social movements.

Political Career

Franklin’s involvement in politics began in the 1730s, when he became active in the Pennsylvania Assembly. In 1753, he was appointed postmaster general for the colonies, and he quickly set about improving the postal service. Later, he served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and was one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence.

Franklin’s political accomplishments also included his role as the first United States ambassador to France. While in France, he secured critical support for the American Revolution and helped to negotiate the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War.

Scientific and Inventive Achievements

Franklin was also a renowned scientist and inventor. He conducted experiments on electricity and developed the lightning rod, which is still used today. Franklin also invented bifocal glasses and made important contributions to meteorology with his work on the Gulf Stream.

Perhaps his most famous scientific achievements came when he demonstrated that lightning was a form of electricity. He conducted his experiments with lightning using kites and developed the concept of positive and negative electrical charges.

Personal Life and Legacy

Franklin’s personal life was eventful and often controversial. He was married to Deborah Read and had two children, but he also had several extramarital relationships. He also owned slaves for much of his life, though later in life he became a vocal opponent of slavery.

Despite these controversies, Franklin’s legacy is significant. His inventions and scientific discoveries helped to pave the way for many of the technological advancements that we enjoy today. His political accomplishments helped to lay the foundation for the American democracy that we know today, and his writings and philosophical ideas continue to inspire and inform people around the world.

Conclusion

Benjamin Franklin was an incredibly influential figure, whose contributions helped to shape the United States and the world. He was a Renaissance man who made significant accomplishments in science, invention, writing, and politics. Franklin’s ideas and legacies continue to impact the United States, inspiring future generations to strive for greatness and to create a better, freer, and more just society.


A true renaissance man, Benjamin Franklin was an acclaimed inventor, author, political theorist, soldier, diplomat, scientist, and Founding Father to the UnitedStates of America. Franklin’s contributions to American society are seemingly endless. However, the role he played in constructing the Constitution, aiding in the revolution against Britain and establishing America as a free and unique nation should be enlightened.

BenjaminFranklin stands alone as the only Founding Father to have signed all four historical documents relevant to the creation of a sovereign United States ofAmerica: The Declaration of Independence, The Treaty of Alliance, the Treaty ofPeace between England, France, and the United States (1782), and theConstitution (1787).

Although Benjamin Franklin played a substantial role in the development of America’s Constitution and the establishment of the country, many believe that his greatest achievements were accomplished overseas as a diplomat. During the late 1740s and early 1750s, Franklin quickly shot up the political ranks.

Franklin began as a councilman in 1749, then a Justice of the Peace a year after, and shortly there after an assembly man in 1750. From 1751-1764, Franklin served on the colonial’s Legislature and produced weekly publications that focused on everyday matters such as the weather, astrology, science, the importance of philanthropy, and news. Although hewas an overwhelming voice of the people, Benjamin Franklin was rarelyboisterous or aggressive towards the British rule. As a result of his numerous contributions, Franklin was widely respected among all world leaders and governments. When the controlling Monarch attempted to unjustly tax American settlers, Franklin did not lead in revolts like his other Founding Fathers, but instead, simply told British leaders that their taxation models were frivolous and would not be followed.

As the British Parliament grew more desperate their actions grew more aggressive. Franklin, through satires and publications,became a leader in unifying the states against British rule. The cartoon of asnake cut into many pieces, which was published by Franklin, became a symbol ofAmerica’s need to unite and rebel. The severed snake represented a superstition that was not true. Snakes cut into many pieces did not regenerate or come backto life. Settlers adopted this illustration as a reminder of the dangersimposed through separation. Benjamin Franklin’s most critical role in terms ofthe Constitution and establishment of America came when he convinced the Frenchto join sides with the colonists and fight against the British Army. WithoutFrench support, specifically naval aid, the Revolutionary War would have been extended indefinitely and perhaps impossible to have won.

Franklin successfully persuaded the French inclusion in the Revolution by claiming thatthe British would be too powerful and a global power if they defeated theUnited States. The French eventually agreed and in addition to fighting alongside colonials, also supplied food and military equipment to the states.Franklin grew popular in France and eventually moved there and acted as a necessary diplomat between the French and Americans.

Franklin’s imaginative and ingenious thoughts wereviewed as both brilliant and revolutionary among his peers. Blessed with acunning whit and a brilliant mind, Franklin was quickly seen as the perfectchoice to represent Colonial America in its foreign affairs. When theConstitution was signed Franklin was physically there, but due to illness andold-age, opted to play only a minor role in the creation of thought behind thedocument. Franklin served as editor to the Amendments, often times delegating tasks to other prominent leaders. Along with inventions and the discovery ofelectricity, Franklin’s contributions were primarily constructed overseas inthe form of peace treaties between Britain, France, and the newly establishedUnited States of America.