Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was an American statesman active in science, publishing, and politics during the 18th century. He is regarded as one of the Founding Fathers of United States of America. He is known for his work on Electricity and his diplomatic missions.

Early Life and Education

He was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston. His father was Josiah Franklin and his mother was Abiah Folger. As the fifteenth of seventeen children, Franklin was only able to continue his formal education for two years due to financial constraints. From the age of ten he began working with his father and at twelve he became an apprentice to his older brother James Franklin, a printer. During this time he developed a habit of reading and improved his writing skills. In 1723 he moved to the city of Philadelphia.

Publishing Activities

In Philadelphia, Franklin continued his career in printing. In 1729 he acquired and began publishing The Pennsylvania Gazette, which reached a wide readership across the colonies.

Between 1732 and 1758 he published his annual almanac, Poor Richard’s Almanack, which he wrote under the pseudonym Richard Saunders. It contained weather forecasts, astronomical information, and aphorisms on thrift and industry.

Scientific Research and Inventions

In 1748 he retired from publishing to focus on scientific studies. His experiments on electricity attracted widespread attention in the scientific community.

• Electrical Research: In 1752 his kite experiment demonstrated that lightning had an electrical nature. He introduced the terms "positive" and "negative" to describe electrical charges.
• Inventions: He developed the lightning rod, the Franklin stove (a more efficient heating stove), bifocal glasses (lenses with two focal points for near and distant vision), and the glass armonica. He did not patent any of his inventions and preferred that they be used for the public good.

Institutional and Social Initiatives

Franklin played a leading role in establishing various civic organizations in Philadelphia:

• He founded the Library Company of Philadelphia in 1731, America’s first membership-based library.
• He organized the Union Fire Company, a volunteer fire department, in 1736.
• He helped establish the Philadelphia Academy in 1751, which later became the University of Pennsylvania.