BY: ALICIA ROCHE CRUZ

BIOGRAPHY EARLY LIFE  His father was, Josiah Franklin. His mother was, Abiah Folger. A descendant of the Folgers, J. A. Folger.  Josiah and Abiah had the following children: John. Peter. Mary. James. Sarah. Ebenezer. Thomas. Benjamin.Lydia and Jane.  Josiah married Anne Child at Ecton, and over the next few years had three children.These half-siblings of Benjamin Franklin included Elizabeth.Samuel and Hannah.

EARLY LIFE  Benjamin Franklin was born on Milk Street in Boston on Januari 17, 1706 and baptized at Old South Meeting House.  His father, Josiah Franklin, was a tallow chandler, a maker of candles and soap, whose second wife, Abiah Folger, was Benjamin's mother. Josiah's marriages produced 17 children; Benjamin was the fifteenth child and youngest son.

MUSICAL ENDEAVORS  Franklin is known to have played the violin, the harp, and the guitar. He also composed music, notably a string quartet in early classical style, and invented a much-improved version of the glass harmonica.

INVENTIONS AND SCIENTIFIC INQUIRIES  Franklin was a prodigious inventor. Among his many creations were the lighting rod, the glass harmonica. Glass harmonica