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70. Benjamin Franklin: Invention Personified
Benjamin Franklin is one of the founding fathers
established the United States of America in the
to late 18th Century. He has been described
his 18th Century peers, and historians alike, as
"First American." This is due to the fact
Franklin played an integral part in creating a
force in colonial America in defiance of British
. Franklin wore many hats during his lifetime. He
a politician, inventor, postmaster, scientist, and journalist. He
as President of the state of Pennsylvania, U.S.
of France, the first Postmaster General, and Speaker
Pennsylvania.
Franklin was born on January 17, 1706
Boston, Massachusetts into a family of 10 children.
family was working-class, so Franklin's rise to prominence
not an easy one. His parents wanted Benjamin
become a clergy member of their church, but
the age of 12, Franklin began working as
printer's apprentice with his older brother. This is
Franklin learned the printing, and news trade that
eventually lead to his Poor Richard's Almanac, and
Philadelphia Gazette publications. This is where Franklin amassed
considerable wealth.
Franklin was also a prolific inventor.
is responsible for inventing such items as the
stove, lightning rod, bifocal glasses, and a flexible
. Part of America's popular lore has Franklin proving
lightning has electrical properties by flying a kite
a thunderstorm. This may, or may not have
true, but his legend is firmly in place.
was a tireless separatist, and fought the English
colonial independence with dogged tenacity. He made at
two diplomatic trips to the British Isles to
for colonial independence. Upon his return from the
trip, the revolutionary war with England had already
. He was one of the original signers of
historic Declaration of Independence.
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