Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin FRS FRSE (English: Benjamin Franklin; January 17, 1706 - April 17, 1790), was born in the British North American colony of Massachusetts Bay Province (now part of Boston, Massachusetts, United States), one of the founding fathers of the United States. He was a polymath, statesman, diplomat, scientist, inventor, publisher, printer, journalist, writer, philanthropist, and Freemason. As a scientist, he became an important figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories about electricity. As an inventor, he was famous for the lightning rod, bifocals, glass harp, Franklin fireplace, and more. He founded many civic organizations, including the Philadelphia Fire Department and the University of Pennsylvania. Franklin was an early and tireless advocate for colonial unity, initially as an author and spokesman in London, and is known as "the first American." As the first U.S. minister to France, he became a role model for the new country, and the embassy he led became the earliest representative institution abroad after the founding of the United States. Franklin played a foundational role in the American national spirit. He advocated practical thrift, hard work, educational wisdom, team spirit, and self-government. He opposed political and religious authoritarianism and was rich in the scientific and inclusive spirit of the Enlightenment. Historian Henry Steele Commager said: "Franklin emerged from the Puritan spirit without being tainted, and embraced the light of the Enlightenment without being evil." Walter Isaacson believed that this made Franklin "the most accomplished American at that time and the most influential in creating the American social form." Philadelphia was the colonial capital, and Franklin was a successful newspaper editor and publisher in the city. He published the Pennsylvania Journal at the age of 23. Franklin became rich by publishing "Poor Richard's Almanack" under the pseudonym "Richard Sanders". After 1767, he participated in the "Pennsylvania Chronicle" newspaper, which advocated revolution and criticized British policies. In 1751, Franklin helped found the Philadelphia College and served as its first president. The college later became the University of Pennsylvania. He organized and founded the American Philosophical Society, serving as its first secretary and in 1769 as its president. Franklin went to London on behalf of the colonies and urged Congress to repeal the unpopular Stamp Act, becoming an American national hero. An outstanding diplomat, he was popular in Paris, France, and contributed greatly to the establishment of an active alliance between the United States and France. These efforts played a key role during the American Revolutionary War, ensuring that the revolution received supplies from France. After working as a postal worker in Philadelphia for many years, Franklin