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'''Benjamin Franklin''' (January 17, 1706, [[Boston]] – April 17, 1790 [[Philadelphia]]), was an American polymath, inventor, statesman, and one of the most prominent scientists in the world, famed for his discoveries in electricity.  

'''Benjamin Franklin''' (January 17, 1706, [[Boston]] – April 17, 1790 [[Philadelphia]]), was an American polymath, inventor, statesman, and one of the most prominent scientists in the world, famed for his discoveries in electricity.  

Franklin's greatest invention was the United States of America. He was known as "the First American" because his efforts were critical to the formation of a new nation, the success of the [[American Revolution]] and the unification of the 13 colonies into the United States of America. Serving as the American minister to France, he secured decisive military and financial support for the Revolution, while asserting the values of democracy and [[republicanism]]. He assisted [[Thomas Jefferson]] in writing the [[Declaration of Independence]] in 1776 and helped legitimize the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1787.  His effective diplomacy, creative nationalism, promotion of civic virtue and devotion to [[republicanism]] earned him high rank as a [[Founding Father]].

Franklin's greatest invention was the United States of America. He was known as "the First American" because his efforts were critical to the formation of a new nation, the success of the [[American Revolution]] and the unification of the 13 colonies into the United States of America. Serving as the American minister to France, he secured decisive military and financial support for the Revolution, while asserting the values of democracy and [[republicanism]]. He assisted [[Thomas Jefferson]] in writing the [[Declaration of Independence]] in 1776 and helped legitimize the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1787.  His effective diplomacy, creative nationalism, promotion of civic virtue and devotion to [[republicanism]] earned him the top tier as a [[Founding Father]].

==Early Life==

==Early Life==

Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] into a Puritan family.  His father was Josiah Franklin, a soap and candle maker,  twice married with 17 children.  Benjamin briefly worked as an apprentice under his father before being apprenticed at age 12 to his brother James Franklin, one of the first American printers.  James created the first independent newspaper in the colonies, a weekly publication called the ''[[New England Courant]]''.  The ''Courant'' became Franklin's first public forum for his essays, written under the pseudonym "Silence Dogood."  Franklin, pretending to be a widow, wrote 14 essays between April and October 1722.  The ''Courant'' drew the anger of the local authorities, who prohibited James from publishing it, citing that it mocked religion.  In order to continue printing, James released his brother from his apprenticeship and named him the publisher; Benjamin used this release to his advantage, escaping the control of his overbearing brother by running away to [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] at the age of 17.

Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] into a Puritan family.  His father was Josiah Franklin, a soap and candle maker,  twice married with 17 children.  Benjamin briefly worked as an apprentice under his father before being apprenticed at age 12 to his brother James Franklin, one of the first American printers.  James created the first independent newspaper in the colonies, a weekly publication called the ''[[New England Courant]]''.  The ''Courant'' became Franklin's first public forum for his essays, written under the pseudonym "Silence Dogood."  Franklin, pretending to be a widow, wrote 14 essays between April and October 1722.  The ''Courant'' drew the anger of the local authorities, who prohibited James from publishing it, citing that it mocked religion.  In order to continue printing, James released his brother from his apprenticeship and named him the publisher; Benjamin used this release to his advantage, escaping the control of his overbearing brother by running away to [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] at the age of 17.

==Printer and Civic Leader==

==Philadelphia Printer ==

Upon his arrival in Philadelphia, Franklin found work at a print shop. He became acquainted with the governor of the colony, [[William Keith]], who persuaded Franklin that he needed to go into business for himself and offered him letters of credit in London to purchase equipment.  When he arrived in London in December 1724, he learned that Keith's letters of credit were useless.  The next two years were spent working in the local print  shops.  In July of 1726, he returned to Philadelphia with the aide of Thomas Denham, a [[Quaker]] merchant he befriended on his trip to London.  Denham paid for Franklin's trip in exchange for work in his general store.  Denham passed away shortly after returning to Philadelphia, Franklin resumed his career as a print shop apprentice.  In 1728, Franklin partnered with his fellow apprentice, Hugh Meredith, and opened their own print shop.  Franklin soon bought out Meredith and began publishing ''[[The Pennsylvania Gazette]]'', which he bought from his former employer, Samuel Keimer.  

Upon his arrival in Philadelphia, Franklin found work at a print shop. He became acquainted with the governor of the colony, [[William Keith]], who persuaded Franklin that he needed to go into business for himself and offered him letters of credit in London to purchase equipment.  When he arrived in London in December 1724, he learned that Keith's letters of credit were useless.  The next two years were spent working in the local print  shops.  In July of 1726, he returned to Philadelphia with the aide of Thomas Denham, a [[Quaker]] merchant he befriended on his trip to London.  Denham paid for Franklin's trip in exchange for work in his general store.  Denham passed away shortly after returning to Philadelphia, Franklin resumed his career as a print shop apprentice.  In 1728, Franklin partnered with his fellow apprentice, Hugh Meredith, and opened their own print shop.  Franklin soon bought out Meredith and began publishing ''[[The Pennsylvania Gazette]]'', which he bought from his former employer, Samuel Keimer.  

 

In September 1730, Franklin entered a common law marriage with [[Deborah Read]]. No legal ceremony was possible because Deborah was still legally married; her husband had deserted to avoid paying a debt.<ref>  Although there were reports of his death, nothing was confirmed.</ref>  Around this time, Franklin fathered an illegitimate son by an unknown woman; [[William Franklin]] was raised in his new household.  In 1732, Deborah gave birth to their first son, Francis, who died of smallpox at the age of 4, leading Franklin to become an advocate of vaccinations.  Sarah Franklin, who went by Sally, was born 11 years later in 1743.  

In September 1730, Franklin entered a common law marriage with [[Deborah Read]]. No legal ceremony was possible because Deborah was still legally married; her husband had deserted to avoid paying a debt.<ref>  Although there were reports of his death, nothing was confirmed.</ref>  Around this time, Franklin fathered an illegitimate son by an unknown woman; [[William Franklin]] was raised in his new household.  In 1732, his first son with Deborah, Francis died of smallpox at the age of 4, leading Franklin to become an advocate of vaccinations.  Sarah Franklin, who went by Sally, was born 11 years later in 1743.  

 

In late 1732, began writing and publishing ''[[Poor Richard's Almanack]]'', under the guise of Poor Richard Saunders and his wife, Bridget.  It's purpose was to provide practical knowledge to the common man, while interjecting a rich dose of humor.  Franklin had a knack for rewording old proverbs in a wittier manner and it was his wit that was instrumental in separating ''Poor Richard's'' from other almanacs being printed in Philadelphia.  The ''Almanack'' also served as an outlet for Franklin's desire toward self improvement and helping others.  It became an annual publication from 1732 to 1758.

In late 1732, he began writing and publishing ''[[Poor Richard's Almanack]]'', under the guise of Poor Richard Saunders and his wife, Bridget.  It's purpose was to provide practical knowledge to the common man, while interjecting a rich dose of humor.  Franklin had a knack for rewording old proverbs in a wittier manner and it was his wit that was instrumental in separating ''Poor Richard's'' from other almanacs being printed in Philadelphia.  The ''Almanack'' also served as an outlet for Franklin's desire toward self improvement and helping others.  It became an annual publication from 1732 to 1758.

[[image:Bfranklin_penn.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Statue of Benjamin Franklin on the University of Pennsylvania campus.]]

[[image:Bfranklin_penn.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Statue of Benjamin Franklin on the University of Pennsylvania campus.]]

In 1758, the year in which he ceased writing for the [[Poor Richard's Almanac]], he printed [[Father Abraham's Sermon]]. [[Franklin's autobiography]], published after his death, is regarded as one of the classics of the genre and is still quoted extensively by many essayists.

In 1758, he printed "Father Abraham's Sermon". Franklin's autobiography, published after his death, is a great American classic and is still widely read and quoted.  

==Civic leader==

==Civic leader==

Franklin became one of Philadelphia's leading citizens, founding a sanitation department, a fire brigade, the American Philosophical Society, and the first circulating library in British North America.

Franklin became Philadelphia's leading citizen, founding a sanitation department, a fire brigade, the American Philosophical Society, and the first circulating library in British North America.

Franklin guided the establishment of the [[University of Pennsylvania]], which was chartered as nonsectarian. It was a new type of institution, unlike rival colleges it did not primarily train clergy. Instead it educated students for careers in the professions and business and for public service. It established America's first modern liberal arts curriculum."<ref>see [http://www.upenn.edu/about/heritage.php online]</ref>  During Franklin's time in England, he was a member of the [[Lunar Society]] based in [[Birmingham]], creators of the [[Industrial Revolution]], and also the [[Hellfire Club]] of Sir Francis Dashwood.

Franklin guided the establishment of the [[University of Pennsylvania]], which was chartered as nonsectarian. It was a new type of institution, unlike rival colleges it did not primarily train clergy. Instead it educated students for careers in the professions and business and for public service. It established America's first modern liberal arts curriculum."<ref>see [http://www.upenn.edu/about/heritage.php online]</ref>  During Franklin's time in England, he was a member of the [[Lunar Society]] based in [[Birmingham]], creators of the [[Industrial Revolution]], and also the [[Hellfire Club]] of Sir Francis Dashwood.