Benjamin Franklin

Born 6 January 1706, the son of a Boston tallow maker (used in candles and soap) – father has political post – family is not Puritan but has similar ideals. Born 6 January 1706, the son of a Boston tallow maker (used in candles and soap) – father has political post – family is not Puritan but has similar ideals. Printer’s apprentice for his brother James at age 12 – writing satiric pieces for publication with the name Silence Dogood who was supposedly a middle aged widow. Printer’s apprentice for his brother James at age 12 – writing satiric pieces for publication with the name Silence Dogood who was supposedly a middle aged widow. Ran away at 17 (James wanted a servant, not an apprentice) and came to Philadelphia. He started his own print shop and began the Pennsylvania Gazette. Ran away at 17 (James wanted a servant, not an apprentice) and came to Philadelphia. He started his own print shop and began the Pennsylvania Gazette.

In order to get away from Boston, Franklin and a friend convinced a sea captain that Franklin had gotten a girl pregnant and that he needed to be hidden until the ship was on its way so that the girl’s father would not find Franklin and force him to marry the girl. In order to get away from Boston, Franklin and a friend convinced a sea captain that Franklin had gotten a girl pregnant and that he needed to be hidden until the ship was on its way so that the girl’s father would not find Franklin and force him to marry the girl. Even as a teenager, Franklin was negative about religion, an aspect of his life that will be a factor as he gets older. Even as a teenager, Franklin was negative about religion, an aspect of his life that will be a factor as he gets older.

Fled to NYC but could not find work there. Someone suggested he go to Philadelphia Fled to NYC but could not find work there. Someone suggested he go to Philadelphia On the trip, Franklin saved a passenger from drowning. There was no place to dock so the ship was forced to stay at sea for 30 hours – there was no food or water. On the trip, Franklin saved a passenger from drowning. There was no place to dock so the ship was forced to stay at sea for 30 hours – there was no food or water. Walked across New Jersey and took a small boat going from Burlington, NJ, to Philadelphia. Eventually docked at the Market Street Wharf. Walked across New Jersey and took a small boat going from Burlington, NJ, to Philadelphia. Eventually docked at the Market Street Wharf.

Bought three rolls of bread with the little money he had left and then walked down Market Street with a roll under each arm and eating the third. Seen by Debra Read, the young lady who will eventually become his wife. Bought three rolls of bread with the little money he had left and then walked down Market Street with a roll under each arm and eating the third. Seen by Debra Read, the young lady who will eventually become his wife. Gave one of the loaves of bread to a woman and her child who were continuing their trip down the river. Gave one of the loaves of bread to a woman and her child who were continuing their trip down the river. Followed well-dressed people to a Quaker meetinghouse and slept on a pew. Followed well-dressed people to a Quaker meetinghouse and slept on a pew.

1730 – created Poor Richard (Richard Saunders) and began publishing Poor Richard’s Almanack. This almanac gave farmer’s planting info, tide information, weather forecasts, moon phases, and other handy tips – created Poor Richard (Richard Saunders) and began publishing Poor Richard’s Almanack. This almanac gave farmer’s planting info, tide information, weather forecasts, moon phases, and other handy tips. Retired in 1750 – wise investments allow him to retire at age 44! Devoted his life to his inventions and scientific experiments, becoming the leading scientist in the Western Hemisphere. Retired in 1750 – wise investments allow him to retire at age 44! Devoted his life to his inventions and scientific experiments, becoming the leading scientist in the Western Hemisphere – representing PA in English legislature. By 1770, he is representing the colonies as a whole – representing PA in English legislature. By 1770, he is representing the colonies as a whole.

His hope for reconciliation ended in 1775, and he returned to America to serve in the Second Continental Congress. His hope for reconciliation ended in 1775, and he returned to America to serve in the Second Continental Congress. He was one of five men who wrote the rough draft of The Declaration of Independence. He was one of five men who wrote the rough draft of The Declaration of Independence – meeting with France and Spain to get money for the colonial war effort – meeting with France and Spain to get money for the colonial war effort – Helped to write the Treaty of Paris in which England recognized America’s independence and ended the Revolution. Wrote his autobiography while abroad – Helped to write the Treaty of Paris in which England recognized America’s independence and ended the Revolution. Wrote his autobiography while abroad.

1785 – returned to America – old and ill 1785 – returned to America – old and ill 1787 – delegate to the Constitutional Convention 1787 – delegate to the Constitutional Convention Died in 1790 Died in 1790 Other characters created by Franklin: Other characters created by Franklin: Celia Shortface - mocked a former employer Celia Shortface - mocked a former employer Busybody – gossip Busybody – gossip Martha Careful Martha Careful Anthony Afterwit – comments on marriage Anthony Afterwit – comments on marriage Alice Addertongue – scandal amid society Alice Addertongue – scandal amid society Polly Baker – treatment of women Polly Baker – treatment of women Benevolus – published in British press in defense of America. Benevolus – published in British press in defense of America.

Accomplishments Helped to improve Philadelphia’s pavements, street lighting, sanitation, fire companies, and police force. Helped to improve Philadelphia’s pavements, street lighting, sanitation, fire companies, and police force. Founded or helped to start a debating club, a hospital, the American Philosophical Society, the first circulating library, and the University of Pennsylvania. Founded or helped to start a debating club, a hospital, the American Philosophical Society, the first circulating library, and the University of Pennsylvania. Studied earthquakes, wind and currents. Studied earthquakes, wind and currents. Improved or invented the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, a gadget for getting books off of high shelves, a rocking chair that swats flies, the armonica (instrument using moistened glass bowls, and the Franklin stove. Improved or invented the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, a gadget for getting books off of high shelves, a rocking chair that swats flies, the armonica (instrument using moistened glass bowls, and the Franklin stove.

Discovered the properties of electricity. Discovered the properties of electricity. WAS AMERICA’S FIRST MILLIONAIRE. WAS AMERICA’S FIRST MILLIONAIRE. Because of his humble beginnings, Franklin’s success has become the symbol of the American Dream. Because of his humble beginnings, Franklin’s success has become the symbol of the American Dream.