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**// __ BENJAMIN FRANKLIN __ //** 





 Born on January 17, 1706, Benjamin Franklin met the world in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the tenth son of Josiah Franklin, while his mother was Abiah Folger. Ben's siblings (including half-siblings) were Elizabeth, Samuel, Hannah, Josiah, Ann, Joseph (who died short after birth), Joseph, John, Peter, Mary, James, Sarah, Ebenezer, Thomas, (Ben came next), Lydia, And Jane Franklin.

At the age of 12 young Benjamin was sent to be the apprentice of his brother, James. He was officially apprenticed to a printer. Ben had to do such tasks as composing pamphlets, setting type, and selling the wears on the streets. At the time of which Benjamin was 15, Benjamin's brother James started a newspaper. Eager Ben wanted to write for the paper, but he knew James wouldn't allow it, so He started writing letters under the false name of Silence Dogood, a widow. At one point, James had a run in with trouble for his views on issues of the church, and he was thrown in jail! This left Benjamin to run the papers on his own. Upon release, James was ungrateful of Ben (just as he was for those letters Ben wrote once Ben confessed), and beat him until Benjamin couldn't take it anymore. During 1723 at the age of 17, Benjamin Franklin ran away to Philadelphia.

During the period of his childhood, there was great contreversy over the religious views of the puritans on things such as inoculation. This link  [] will explain the meaning. As I understand it is a process of vaccination. The Franklins greatly despised inoculation as they thought it would make people sicker.

By this time, it is safe to say that he had no schooling, but he was self-educated. Now while he was in Philly, he set himself up as yet again an apprentice. However, he did so well that the governor of Pennsylvania was willing to help him start a business. He just had to travel for some supplies. Unfortunately, the governor took back his promise, stranding Ben in London. He once again began working on presses. At the time of his return, his future wife had already married, because he had said he wasn't ready for such a thing. He eventually borrowed some money and started his business as he was much better and more skilled than the man he already worked for. Soon enough his business was booming and to top it off he began government jobs.

During 1728, he had become the father of William Franklin, whose mother is unknown. As if he wasn't already having a wonderful life, he married Deborah Read, the girl he admired. In this new chapter of life, the Franklins owned a store and a Bookshop. Franklin bought the Pennsylvania Gazette, which became the most successful newspaper in the colonies!

At the time of Benjamin's great works in printing, many things such as Poor Richard's Almanack, joining the Free Masons, and his first political cartoon (THE first political cartoon) occurred. Another batch of accomplishments were the first subscription library, the Pennsylvania Hospital, and the Philosophical Society, a group of learned Americans. Two more to mention were the first Philly fire company and PCIALF (Philadelphia Contribution for Insurance Against Loss by Fire). Of the time around 1780, Ben had many presses he ran, but he retired from business and started focusing on science, experiments, and inventions.

At this point he had invented the Franklin stove. Later he invented swimming fins, the glass armonica, and bifocals, a commonly known object. During the early 1750's Franklin discovered what lightning really was in his famous kite experiment.

During 1757, Franklin went to England where he stayed 'til 1775. In this time he became a representative of Pa, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Georgia. He even helped represent the colonies on their views of the Stamp Act. This was contributed to its removal. While Franklin was still in England, he was quite the man of mischief. Benjamin managed to help Thomas Paine by getting Thomas to burn a sacreligious book that he was writing. Wise old Benjamin managed to expose Thomas Hutchinson's actions of helping the king while pretending to be on the side of the people. He also leaked these letters to the public back in the colonies. This was accomplished by his position as postmaster. After a bit, Franklin came home.

Of these times the American Revolution was the big thing and caused the split between the colonies and Great Britain.

Once he was home, he became very active in Independence. He was elected to the Second Continental Congress and helped draft the Declaration of Independence. Franklin became the French ambassador and helped persuade them to have Louis XVI sign the Treaty of Alliance in 1778 and was also present during the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

Towards the end of his amazing and fantastic life, he became President of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania. He delegated to the Constitutional Convention and he even signed the Constitution!

Sadly Franklin died on April 17, 1790, presumably of natural causes. He was 84. However, he will always be remembered.

Good job..some details could have been more clearly elaborated..example- Hutchinson...94/100   

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[] [] (100 dollar bill)[] (stamp)[|http://www-gap.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/BigPictures/Franklin_Benjamin_6.jpeg] (oval picture)[] []