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Franklin experimenting with electricity.

Franklin

Franklin experimenting with electricity.

Franklin in the streets of Philadelphia

Franklin

Franklin in the streets of Philadelphia

Benjamin Franklin as a apprentice in the printing trade.

Franklin as an Apprentice

Benjamin Franklin as a apprentice in the printing trade.

Benjamin Franklin in France interacting in French society.

Franklin in French Society

Benjamin Franklin in France interacting in French society.

Franklin was a celebrity in Paris even before his arrival in 1777, and medallions from the faience pottery at Chaumont (owned by Franklin's host, Donatien LeRay de Chaumont) were among the earliest portraits of him made in France.

The Franklin Medallion

Franklin was a celebrity in Paris even before his arrival in 1777, and medallions from the faience pottery…

Benjamin Franklin on a ship on his way to France.

Franklin on His Way to France

Benjamin Franklin on a ship on his way to France.

Benjamin Franklin's printing press.

Franklin's Press

Benjamin Franklin's printing press.

"Benjamin Franklin managed men, the whilom printer, king's postmaster-general for America, discoverer, London colonial agent, delegate in the Continental Congress, and signer of the Declaration of Independence."—E. Benjamin Andrews, 1895

Benjamin Franklin

"Benjamin Franklin managed men, the whilom printer, king's postmaster-general for America, discoverer,…

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He invented the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, a carriage odometer, and the glass harmonica. He formed both the first public lending library in America and first fire department in Pennsylvania.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United…

Benjamin Franklin on the face of a medal.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin on the face of a medal.

Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. He was also a noted polymath, a leading author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. In 1751, Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond obtained a charter from the Pennsylvania legislature to establish a hospital. Pennsylvania Hospital was the first hospital in what was to become the United States of America. In June, 1776, he was appointed a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Although he was temporarily disabled by gout and unable to attend most meetings of the Committee, Franklin made several small changes to the draft sent to him by Thomas Jefferson. In December, 1776, Franklin was dispatched to France as commissioner for the United States and remained in France until 1785. Franklin retained a lifelong commitment to the Puritan virtues and political values with which he had grown up. Through his civic work and publishing, he succeeded in passing these values into the American culture permanently.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. He was also a noted…

Benjamin Franklin.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin.

"A device printed in Franklin's newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette, shows a wriggling rattlesnake cut into pieces, with the initial letter of a colony on each piece."—Webster, 1920

Join or Die

"A device printed in Franklin's newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette, shows a wriggling rattlesnake cut…

Lafayette offering his services to Franklin.

Lafayette and Franklin

Lafayette offering his services to Franklin.

"Facsimile of signatures to Treaty of Peace."—E. Benjamin Andrews, 1895

Treaty of Peace

"Facsimile of signatures to Treaty of Peace."—E. Benjamin Andrews, 1895