Engraved Portrait of Benjamin Franklin
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BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Scientist, Inventor, Statesman, Printer, Philosopher, Musician
January 17, 1706 • April 17, 1790
- Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts.
- Parents: Josiah Franklin (1657-1745) and Abiah Folger (1667-1752).
- Brothers and Sisters: 9 brothers and 7 sisters (Benjamin was the 8th child).
- 1718: Worked as an apprentice in brother James' printing shop in Boston.
- 1728: Opens his own printing office in Philadelphia, PA.
- 1730: Married Deborah Read Rogers (1708-1774)
- Children: Francis Folger (1732-1736) and Sarah "Sally" (1743-1808). There was another child, William Franklin (1731-1813), who was actually the first born but because it was an illegitimate birth, the mother's identity was never revealed. However, it is more than likely the first child born to Ben's wife Deborah before they were officially married.
- 1732-1758: Publishes "Poor Richard: An Almanac."
- 1737: Appointed Postmaster of Philadelphia.
- 1747: First experiments with electricity.
- 1751: "Experiments and Observations on Electricity" published in London.
- June 1752: Famous "Stormy Kite Flight," proves that lightning is really a stream of electrified air. Later invents the lightning rod to protect people, buildings and ships from direct lightning strikes.
- 1769: Elected president of the American Philosophical Society.
- 1775: Submits "Articles of Confederation of United Colonies."
- 1776: Signs "Declaration of Independence."
- 1782: Negotiates, with John Adams and John Jay, the "Treaty of Peace" with Great Britain. (In 1778 negotiated & signed "Treaty of Alliance" with France).
- 1787: Elected president of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. Also serves as delegate to the Constitutional Convention.
- Age at Death: 84 years
- Place of Death: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Burial Place: Christ Church Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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