Biography of benjam franklin

InFranklin became the owner and publisher of a colonial newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazettewhich proved popular—and to which he contributed much of the content, often using pseudonyms. InFranklin began living with Deborah Read c. Franklin and Read had a son, Francis Folger Franklinwho died of smallpox at age 4, and a daughter, Sarah Franklin Bache Franklin had another son, William Franklin c.

William Franklin served as the last colonial governor of New Jerseyfrom toand remained loyal to the British during the American Revolution.

Biography of benjam franklin

He died in exile in England. Franklin also organized the Pennsylvania militia, raised funds to build a city hospital and spearheaded a program to pave and light city streets. Additionally, Franklin was instrumental in the creation of the Academy of Philadelphia, a college which opened in and became known as the University of Pennsylvania in Franklin also was a key figure in the colonial postal system.

Inthe British appointed him postmaster of Philadelphia, and he went on to become, inbiography of benjam franklin postmaster general for all the American colonies. In this role he instituted various measures to improve mail service; however, the British dismissed him from the job in because he was deemed too sympathetic to colonial interests.

In Julythe Continental Congress appointed Franklin the first postmaster general of the United States, giving him authority over all post offices from Massachusetts to Georgia. He held this position until Novemberwhen he was succeeded by his son-in-law. The first U. InFranklin, then 42 years old, had expanded his printing business throughout the colonies and become successful enough to stop working.

Retirement allowed him to concentrate on public service and also pursue more fully his longtime interest in science. In the s, he conducted experiments that contributed to the understanding of electricity, and invented the lightning rod, which protected buildings from fires caused by lightning. England had many of the amenities that America lacked.

The country also had fine thinkers, theater, witty conversation — things in short supply in America. He kept asking Deborah to come visit him in England. He had thoughts of staying there permanently, but she was afraid of traveling by ship. InFranklin was caught by surprise by America's overwhelming opposition to the Stamp Act. His testimony before Parliament helped persuade the members to repeal the law.

He started wondering if America should break free of England. Franklin, though he had many friends in England, was growing sick of the corruption he saw all around him in politics and royal circles. Franklin, who had proposed a plan for united colonies innow would earnestly start working toward that goal. Franklin's big break with England occurred in the "Hutchinson Affair.

Although he pretended to take the side of the people of Massachusetts in their complaints against England, he was actually still working for the King. Franklin got a hold of some letters in which Hutchinson called for "an abridgment of what are called English Liberties" in America. He sent the letters to America where much of the population was outraged.

After leaking the letters Franklin was called to Whitehall, the English Foreign Ministry, where he was condemned in public. He started working actively for Independence. He naturally thought his son William, now the Royal governor of New Jersey, would agree with his views. William did not. William remained a Loyal Englishman. This caused a rift between father and son which was never healed.

Franklin was elected to the Second Continental Congress and worked on a committee of five that helped to draft the Declaration of Independence. Though much of the writing is Thomas Jefferson's, much of the contribution is Franklin's. The French loved Franklin. He was the man who had tamed lightning, the humble American who dressed like a backwoodsman but was a match for any wit in the world.

He spoke French, though stutteringly. He was a favorite of the ladies. Several years earlier his wife Deborah had died, and Benjamin was now a notorious flirt. In part via Franklin's popularity, the government of France signed a Treaty of Alliance with the Americans in Franklin also helped secure loans and persuade the French they were doing the right thing.

Franklin was on hand to sign the Treaty of Paris inbiography of benjam franklin the Americans had won the Revolution. Now a man in his late seventies, Franklin returned to America. He became President of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania. He served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and signed the Constitution. One of his last public acts was writing an anti-slavery treatise in Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. Franklin sought to cultivate these virtues throughout the remainder of life. His approach to self-improvement lasted throughout his life. Back in America, Franklin had many successful endeavours in business, journalism, science and statesmanship. Franklin never patented his inventions, preferring to offer them freely for the benefit of society.

As he wrote:. Franklin was chosen as an ambassador to England in the dispute over taxes. For five years he held conferences with political leaders as well as continuing his scientific experiments and musical studies. Later on, Franklin played a key role in warning the British government over the dangers of taxing the American colonies.

In a contest of wills, Franklin was instrumental in encouraging the British Parliament to revoke the hated Stamp Act. However, this reversal was to be short-lived. And when further taxes were issued, Franklin declared himself a supporter of the new American independence movement. Inhe returned to an America in conflict. He was one of the five representatives chosen to draw up the American Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson as the author.

John Adams. Franklin for effecting a Reconciliation between England and the United States. Arthur Lee. Ralph Izard. A French Army sent to the United States. Negotiations for Peace. Oswald sent to Paris to consult Dr. Franklin on the Mode of Negotiating.