Benjamin Franklin

Benjamín Franklin
Benjamín Franklin, born in on Milk Street Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1706, Josiah his father wanted Ben to attend school with the clergy, but only had enough money to send him to school for two years maybe his life alone be the most profound statement of what an American strives to be.
His life:
With no formal education beyond the age of 10 years, Franklin wascelebrated throughout Europe, welcomed in any Royal Court, sought out by every prestigious society. Indeed, when the reputations of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson had yet to be sorted out, Franklin was worshipped wherever his name was known.
He attended grammar school at age eight, but was put to work at ten. He apprenticed as a printer to his brother James, who printed the New EnglandCourant, at age twelve, and published his first article there, anonymously, in 1721. Young Benjamin was an avid reader, inquisitive and skeptical. Through his satirical articles, he poked fun at the people of Boston and soon wore out his welcome, both with his brother and with the city. He ran away to New York and then on to Philadelphia at the age of 16, looking for work as a printer. He managed acommission to Europe for the purpose of buying supplies to establish a new printing house in Philadelphia, but found himself abandoned when he stepped off ship. Through hard work and frugality he bought his fare back to Philadelphia in 1732 and set up shop as a printer. He was appointed clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1736, and as Postmaster the following year. In 1741 he began publishing PoorRichard's Almanac, a very popular and influential magazine. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1751 and served as an agent for Pennsylvania (and ultimately for three other colonies) to England, France, and several other European powers. In 1753, both Harvard and Yale awarded him honorary degrees.[50]
In 1754, he headed the Pennsylvania delegation to the Albany Congress. This meetingof several colonies had been requested by the Board of Trade in England to improve relations with the Indians and defense against the French. Franklin proposed a broad Plan of Union for the colonies. While the plan was not adopted, elements of it found their way into the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.
In 1756, Franklin organized the Pennsylvania Militia also in 1756, Franklinbecame a member of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce.
In 1759, he visited Edinburgh with his son, and recalled his conversations there as "the densest happiness of my life".[51] In February 1759, the University of St Andrews awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree and in October of the same year he was granted Freedom of the Borough of St. Andrews.[52]
In1762, Oxford University awarded Franklin an honorary doctorate for his scientific accomplishments and from then on he went by "Doctor Franklin."
In September 1767, Franklin visited Paris with his usual traveling partner, Sir John Pringle. News of his electrical discoveries was widespread in France. His reputation meant that he was introduced to many influential scientists and politicians, andalso to King Louis XV
He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775, where he played a crucial role in the rebellion against Grand Britain, including service to Jefferson in editing the Declaration of Independence. Franklin, who was by this time independently wealthy and retired from publishing, continued to serve an important role in government both local and national.
On July 26, 1775,the Second Continental Congress established the United States Post Office and named Benjamin Franklin as the first United States Postmaster General, the first appointed under the Continental Congress. It established a postal system that became the United States Post Office, a system that is still in use today.
Minister to the French Court, Treaty agent and signer to the peace with Gr. Britain,...