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Benjamin Franklin
Colonial America, 1706-1790
As diplomat, scientist, writer, printer and political philosopher, Benjamin Franklin was one of the truly dominant figures of the 18th century.
Born into a large family in Boston, Franklin experienced little formal schooling and was apprenticed to a half-brother to learn the printing trade. So intent was Franklin with educating himself, he became a vegetarian in order to save money to purchase books. He moved to Philadelphia, lived briefly in London and then returned to Philadelphia in 1726, where he began a steady rise to fame and fortune. He published the Pennsylvania Gazette, established a lending library and a fire-fighting company, served in government posts and was the author of Poor Richard's Almanac, a collection of Franklin's pithy observations that became American proverbs.
Having established his fortune by 1750, Franklin turned his attentions to science and political matters. His experimentation with electricity gained him recognition in Europe as well as in America. He developed such everyday items as bifocal glasses, the lightening rod and the Franklin stove.
In the political realm, he served as the colonial deputy postmaster and represented Pennsylvania's interests in England in a dispute with the Penn family. While not serving in the French and Indian War, Franklin expended great effort to support General Braddock's march into western Pennsylvania. He also served as the colonial agent for Georgia, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Franklin returned to America shortly before hostilities broke out in 1775. He served in the Second Continental Congress and was a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Franklin's illegitimate son, William, became a Loyalist; father and son never reconciled.
In 1776, Franklin was part of a delegation sent to France for the purpose of securing aid and succeeded in winning recognition in 1778. In 1781, Franklin went to London with John Jay and John Adams to begin negotiations for the conclusion of the War for Independence.
Franklin returned to America in 1785 and two years later attended the Constitutional Convention. Advanced age limited his role, but Franklin threw his considerable prestige behind ratification despite serious reservations about portions of the final document.
Franklin's autobiography, covering only his early years, is regarded as one of the finest examples of the genre.
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Having established his fortune by 1750, Franklin turned his attentions to science and political matters. His experimentation with electricity gained him recognition in Europe as well as in America. He developed such everyday items as bifocal glasses, the lightening rod and the Franklin stove. 
