Benjamin Franklin
BIRTH
Jan 17, 1706
Boston, Massachusetts
DEATH
April 17, 1790
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Delegate to the Constitutional Convention (PA)
1787
President of Pennsylvania
1785-1788
United States Minister to Sweden
1782-1783
United States Minister to France
1779-1785
United States Postmaster General
1775-1776
Postmaster General of British America
1753-1774
President of the University of Pennsylvania
1749-1754
Delegate to the Continental Congress (PA)
FAMILY
FATHER:
Josiah Franklin
(1657-1745)
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Franklin, Benjamin
(1706-1790)
Benjamin Franklin was an American polymath, a leading writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. Among the most influential intellectuals of his time, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States; a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence; and the first postmaster general.
BIRTHPLACE:
MARKER
Benjamin Franklin Birthplace
17 Milk St, Boston, MA 02108
HOMES:
MUSEUM
Franklin Court
322 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
GRAVE:
MUSEUM
Christ Church Philadelphia
20 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
7
WIFE
Deborah Read
(1708-1774)
William Franklin
(1730-1813)
Francis Folger Franklin
(1732-1736)
Sarah Franklin Bache
(1743-1808)
Places | Image | Address | GPS | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Independence National Historical Park | 520 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | MUSEUM | ||
Old South Meeting House | 310 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108 | MUSEUM | ||
Boston Common | 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111 | PARK | ||
City Tavern | 166 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | MUSEUM | ||
Declaration House | 1008 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | MUSEUM | ||
Christ Church Philadelphia | 20 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | MUSEUM | ||
Franklin to Montreal Marker | 526 Lake Shore Rd, West Chazy, NY 12992 | MARKER |
DIED:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Apr 17, 1790
Franklin became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies, publishing the Pennsylvania Gazette at age 23. He became wealthy publishing this and Poor Richard's Almanack, which he wrote under the pseudonym "Richard Saunders".
Franklin became a hero in America when, as an agent in London for several colonies, he spearheaded the repeal of the unpopular Stamp Act by the British Parliament. An accomplished diplomat, he was widely admired as the first U.S. ambassador to France and was a major figure in the development of positive Franco–American relations. His efforts proved vital for the American Revolution in securing French aid.
As a scientist, his studies of electricity made him a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics. He also charted and named the Gulf Stream current. His numerous important inventions include the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove.