Benjamin Benjamin FranklinFranklin

1706 - 1706 - 17901790

One of 17 childrenOne of 17 children Born in BostonBorn in Boston Left school at the age of Left school at the age of

ten to begin working with ten to begin working with his fatherhis father

Two years later he Two years later he became an apprentice to became an apprentice to his brother who was a his brother who was a printerprinter

When seventeen, he went When seventeen, he went to Philadelphia to open his to Philadelphia to open his own print shopown print shop

Began publishing Began publishing newspaper called newspaper called Poor Poor Richard’s AlmanackRichard’s Almanack

When he was 42, he When he was 42, he retired from the printing retired from the printing business and devoted business and devoted himself to sciencehimself to science

As a scientist he is well As a scientist he is well known for inventing the known for inventing the lightning rod, bifocals, and lightning rod, bifocals, and a new type of stove; he a new type of stove; he also confirmed the laws of also confirmed the laws of electricityelectricity

He played an important He played an important role in drafting the role in drafting the Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

In his later years, he was In his later years, he was ambassador first to ambassador first to England and then to England and then to FranceFrance