biography on ben franklin

Essay by francisdyHigh School, 11th gradeA+, May 2002

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Benjamin Franklin

(1706-1790)

Benjamin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston. His father, Josiah Franklin, a tallow chandler by trade, had 17 children; Benjamin was the 15th child and the 10th son. His mother, Abiah Folger, was his father's second wife. The Franklin family was in modest circumstances, like most New Englanders of the time. After his attendance at grammar school from age eight to ten, Benjamin was taken into his father's business. Finding the work uncongenial, however, he entered the employ of a cutler. At age 13 he was apprenticed to his brother James, who had recently returned from England with a new printing press. Benjamin learned the printing trade, devoting his spare time to the advancement of his education.

After a number of disagreements with James, he left Boston and made his way to Philadelphia, arriving in October 1723. There he worked at his trade and made numerous friends, among whom was Sir William Keith, the provincial governor of Pennsylvania.

He persuaded Ben to go to London to complete his training as a printer and to purchase the equipment needed to start his own printing establishment in Philadelphia. Benjamin took this advice, arriving in London in December 1724.

Not having received from Keith certain promised letters of introduction and credit, Benjamin found himself, at age 18, without means in a strange city. With characteristic resourcefulness, he obtained employment at two of the foremost printing houses in London. Palmer's and Watt's. His appearance, bearing, and accomplishments soon won him the recognition of a number of the most distinguished figures in the literary and publishing world.

In October 1726, Benjamin returned to Philadelphia and resumed his trade. The following year, with a number of his acquaintances, he organized a discussion group known American Philosophical Society. In September 1729, he...