Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was an amazing man. He once said "If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing." He lived the words to the fullest by writing as much as possible and doing even more. He became famous for being a scientist, an inventor, a statesman, a printer, a philosopher, a musician, and a economist. He was also one of the founding fathers.

He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706. At the age of 12 he began an apprenticeship in his brother James' printing shop. At 17 he left his family and ran away to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to start a life of his own. One year later he moved to London, continuing his training as a printer. After 2 years in London he returns to Philadelphia. At 22 he opened his own printing shop.

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A year later he became the sole owner and publisher of the Pennsylvania Gazette. The next year he marries Deborah Read Rogers and over the next two years they have two sons, William and Francis. After only four years of life Ben's youngest son, Francis dies. In that same year he founded the Union Fire Company in Philadelphia. In 1743 Ben's wife Deborah gives birth to a daughter Sarah, who was also known as "Sally". Two years later Ben's father, Josiah Franklin dies. In 1748 Ben sells his printing shop, and retires from the business.

In 1751 his book Experiments and Observations on Electricity is published in London. In 1752 he performs his famous kite experiment. That same year his mother, Abiah Folger Franklin dies, and he founds the first American Fire Insurance Company. In 1757 he travels to London, returning to Philadelphia five years...