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[[Image:Benjamin.jpg|thumb|'''Benjamin Franklin''' <br>by Jean Baptiste Greuze (1777)|right]]

[[Image:Benjamin.jpg|thumb|'''Benjamin Franklin''' <br>by Jean Baptiste Greuze (1777)|right]]

'''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 of the [[Enlightenment]], 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 the top tier 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]] 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]] into a Puritan family.  His father was Josiah Franklin, a soap and candle maker, who was married twice and had 17 children.  Benjamin was home schooled, and was apprenticed at age 12 to his brother James Franklin, one of the first American printers.  James published ''[[New England Courant]]'' and it became Ben's first public forum for his essays, written under the pseudonym "Silence Dogood."  Ben, pretending to be a widow, wrote 14 essays in 1722.  The essays drew the anger of the local authorities, who prohibited James from publishing it, citing that it mocked religion.  Ben, now aged 17, left home and went to Philadelphia on his own.

==Philadelphia Printer ==

==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.  

Franklin found work at a print shop in Philadelphia and soon was patronized by governor 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.  Ben stayed in London, working in the local print shops.  In 1726, he returned to Philadelphia and again worked in print shops. In 1728, Franklin partnered with Hugh Meredith to opened their own print shop.  Franklin soon bought out Meredith and began publishing ''The Pennsylvania Gazette'' newspaper, which he bought from his former employer, Samuel Keimer.  

==Marriage==

==Marriage==

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 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. 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.  

==Almanack==

==Almanack==

In late 1732, he began writing and publishing ''Poor Richard's Almanack'', under the guise of Poor Richard Saunders and his wife, Bridget, both fictional characters.  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. 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, both fictional characters.  The almanack provided useful information on the seasons while enlightening the reader with witty short sayings. Franklin had a knack for rewording and improving old proverbs in a wittier manner. The almanac appeared annually from 1732 to 1758.

 

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 Philadelphia's leading citizen, founding many civic organizations.  After 1727 he usually operated through "the Junto", also known as the Leather Apron Club, a club comprising friends, civil leaders and fellow tradesmen.  He established America's first subscription library, the Library Company of Philadelphia, in 1731.  In 1736, he organized the first volunteer fire department, the Union Fire Company.  In 1743, he expanded the idea of the Junto to all of the colonies by organizing the [[American Philosophical Society]].  He helped fund the first hospital and planned a professional police force.

Franklin became Philadelphia's leading citizen, founding and leading many civic organizations.  After 1727 he usually operated through "the Junto", an informal club comprising friends, civil leaders and fellow tradesmen.  He established America's first subscription library, the Library Company of Philadelphia, in 1731.  In 1736, he organized the first volunteer fire department, the Union Fire Company.  In 1743, he expanded the idea of the Junto to all of the colonies by organizing the [[American Philosophical Society]].  He helped fund the first hospital and planned a professional police force.

Franklin guided the establishment of the "College of Philadelphia" (now the [[University of Pennsylvania]]), which was 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>   

Franklin guided the establishment of the "College of Philadelphia" (now the [[University of Pennsylvania]]), which was 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>   

Franklin helped create the Pennsylvania Militia, independent of the colonial government.  The repeated [[French and Indian Wars]] were a threat to the frontier, as the French based in Canada organized and armed Indians who raided the frontier settlements.  The government was controlled by the Penn family and the [[Quakers]], who refused to organize any military defense.  In November 1747, Franklin wrote a pamphlet called ''Plain Truth'' in which he advocated the creation of a defense force, since the government would not do so.  The pamphlet was enthusiastically received, and Franklin organized and helped the colony fund a 10,000 man militia.  

Franklin helped create the Pennsylvania Militia, independent of the colonial government.  The repeated [[French and Indian Wars]] were a threat to the frontier, as the French based in Canada organized and armed Indians who raided the frontier settlements.  The government was controlled by the Penn family and the [[Quakers]], who refused to organize any military defense.  In November 1747, Franklin wrote ''Plain Truth'' advocating the creation of a defense force, since the government would not do so.  The pamphlet was enthusiastically received, and Franklin organized and helped the colony fund a 10,000 man militia.  

==Inventor==

==Inventor==