Benjamin Franklin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

18 May 15

markhuyong

25 Mar 15

mrshowalter

It took many years for British sea captains to adopt Franklin's advice on navigating the current; once they did, they were able to trim two weeks from their sailing time.

26 Jan 15

strorac

Founding Fathers
inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals

23 Nov 14

Zevvy Kamin

02 Oct 14

ghunter2014

French invovlvement

01 Oct 14

armentano_tech

<div id="siteSub">m Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</div> <div id="contentSub"></div> <div class="mw-jump" id="jump-to-nav"> Jump to: <a rel="nofollow" href="#mw-navigation">navigation</a>, <a rel="nofollow" href="#p-search">search</a> </div> <div class="mw-content-ltr" dir="ltr" id="mw-content-text" lang="en"><div class="hatnote">For other uses of "Benjamin Franklin", "Ben Franklin" and "Franklin", see <a rel="nofollow" class="mw-disambig" href="/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin_(disambiguation)" title="Benjamin Franklin (disambiguation)">Benjamin Franklin (disambiguation)</a> and <a rel="nofollow" class="mw-redirect" href="/wiki/Franklin_(disambiguation)" title="Franklin (disambiguation)">Franklin (disambiguation)</a>.</div> <div class="metadata topicon nopopups" style="display:none;right:55px" id="protected-icon"><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Protection_policy#semi" title="This article is semi-protected."><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Padlock-silver.svg/20px-Padlock-silver.svg.png" data-file-height="128" data-file-width="128" height="20" width="20" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Padlock-silver.svg/30px-Padlock-silver.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Padlock-silver.svg/40px-Padlock-silver.svg.png 2x" alt="Page semi-protected"></a></div> <table class="infobox vcard" style="width: 22em"> <tbody><tr> <th class="n" style="text-align: center; font-size: 132%;" colspan="2">Benjamin Franklin</th> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center" colspan="2"><a rel="nofollow" class="image" href="/wiki/File:BenFranklinDuplessis.jpg"><img class="thumbborder" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/BenFranklinDuplessis.jpg/220px-BenFranklinDuplessis.jpg" data-file-height="478" data-file-width="393" height="268" width="220" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/BenFranklinDuplessis.jpg/330px-BenFranklinDuplessis.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/BenFranklinDuplessis.jpg 2x" alt="BenFranklinDuplessis.jpg"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background-color: lavender; text-align: center" colspan="2">6th <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/List_of_Governors_of_Pennsylvania#Presidents_of_the_Supreme_Executive_Council_to_1790" title="List of Governors of Pennsylvania">President of Pennsylvania</a></th> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-bottom:none; text-align:center" colspan="2">In office October 18, 1785 – November 5, 1788</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Vice President</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Charles_Biddle" title="Charles Biddle">Charles Biddle</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Thomas_Mifflin" title="Thomas Mifflin">Thomas Mifflin</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Preceded by</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" class="mw-redirect" href="/wiki/John_Dickinson_(politician)" title="John Dickinson (politician)">John Dickinson</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Succeeded by</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Thomas_Mifflin" title="Thomas Mifflin">Thomas Mifflin</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background-color: lavender; text-align: center" colspan="2"><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/United_States_Ambassador_to_France" title="United States Ambassador to France">United States Minister to France</a></th> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-bottom:none; text-align:center" colspan="2">In office September 14, 1778 – May 17, 1785 Serving with <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Arthur_Lee_(diplomat)" title="Arthur Lee (diplomat)">Arthur Lee</a>, <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Silas_Deane" title="Silas Deane">Silas Deane</a>, and <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/John_Adams" title="John Adams">John Adams</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Appointed by</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Continental_Congress" title="Continental Congress">Continental Congress</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Preceded by</th> <td>New office</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Succeeded by</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson" title="Thomas Jefferson">Thomas Jefferson</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background-color: lavender; text-align: center" colspan="2"><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/United_States_Ambassador_to_Sweden" title="United States Ambassador to Sweden">United States Minister to Sweden</a></th> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-bottom:none; text-align:center" colspan="2">In office September 28, 1782 – April 3, 1783</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Appointed by</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Congress_of_the_Confederation" title="Congress of the Confederation">Congress of the Confederation</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Preceded by</th> <td>New office</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Succeeded by</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Jonathan_Russell" title="Jonathan Russell">Jonathan Russell</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background-color: lavender; text-align: center" colspan="2">1st <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/United_States_Postmaster_General" title="United States Postmaster General">United States Postmaster General</a></th> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-bottom:none; text-align:center" colspan="2">In office July 26, 1775 – November 7, 1776</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Appointed by</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Continental_Congress" title="Continental Congress">Continental Congress</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Preceded by</th> <td>New office</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Succeeded by</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Richard_Bache" title="Richard Bache">Richard Bache</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background-color: lavender; text-align: center" colspan="2"><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Speaker_of_the_Pennsylvania_House_of_Representatives" title="Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives">Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly</a></th> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-bottom:none; text-align:center" colspan="2">In office May 1764 – October 1764</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Preceded by</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Isaac_Norris_(statesman)" title="Isaac Norris (statesman)">Isaac Norris</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Succeeded by</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Isaac_Norris_(statesman)" title="Isaac Norris (statesman)">Isaac Norris</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background-color: lavender; text-align: center" colspan="2">Member of the Pennsylvania Assembly</th> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-bottom:none; text-align:center" colspan="2">In office 1762–1764</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-bottom:none; text-align:center" colspan="2">In office 1751–1757</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background-color: lavender; text-align: center" colspan="2">Personal details</th> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Born</th> <td>(1706-01-17)January 17, 1706 <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Boston" title="Boston">Boston</a>, <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Province_of_Massachusetts_Bay" title="Province of Massachusetts Bay">Massachusetts Bay</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Died</th> <td>April 17, 1790(1790-04-17) (aged 84) <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Philadelphia" title="Philadelphia">Philadelphia</a>, <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Pennsylvania" title="Pennsylvania">Pennsylvania</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Nationality</th> <td>American</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Political party</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" class="mw-redirect" href="/wiki/Independent_(politician)" title="Independent (politician)">Independent</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Spouse(s)</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Deborah_Read" title="Deborah Read">Deborah Read</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Children</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/William_Franklin" title="William Franklin">William Franklin</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Francis_Folger_Franklin" title="Francis Folger Franklin">Francis Folger Franklin</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Sarah_Franklin_Bache" title="Sarah Franklin Bache">Sarah Franklin Bache</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Profession</th> <td>Printer-Publisher Writer Politician Scientist</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:left;">Signature</th> <td><a rel="nofollow" class="image" href="/wiki/File:Benjamin_Franklin_Signature.svg" title="Benjamin Franklin's signature"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Benjamin_Franklin_Signature.svg/128px-Benjamin_Franklin_Signature.svg.png" data-file-height="119" data-file-width="234" height="65" width="128" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Benjamin_Franklin_Signature.svg/192px-Benjamin_Franklin_Signature.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Benjamin_Franklin_Signature.svg/256px-Benjamin_Franklin_Signature.svg.png 2x" alt=""></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> Benjamin Franklin <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Royal_Society" title="Royal Society">FRS</a> (January 17, 1706 [<a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates" title="Old Style and New Style dates">O.S.</a> January 6, 1705]<a rel="nofollow" href="#cite_note-Engber-1">[Note 1]</a> – April 17, 1790) was one of the <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Founding_Fathers_of_the_United_States" title="Founding Fathers of the United States">Founding Fathers of the United States</a> and in many ways was "the First American".<a rel="nofollow" href="#cite_note-2">[1]</a> A renowned <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/Polymath" title="Polymath">polymath</a>, Franklin was a leading author, printer, <a rel="nofollow" href="/wiki/List_of_political_philosophers" title="List of political philosophers">political theorist</a>, politician, postmaster, sci</div>
Franklin, always proud of his working class roots, became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies.^[6] With two partners he published the Pennsylvania Chronicle, a newspaper that was known for its revolutionary sentiments and criticisms of the British policies. He became wealthy publishing Poor Richard's Almanack and The Pennsylvania Gazette. Franklin was also the printer of books for the Moravians of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (1742 on). Franklin's printed Moravian books (printed in German) are preserved, and can be viewed, at the Moravian Archives located

21 Mar 14

Bethune Student

er for publ

14 Mar 14

KYLE N

Colonial Ben Franklin

19 Feb 14

patkav27

onal in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment without its heat."^[4] To Walter Isaacson, this makes Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."^[5]

Franklin, always proud of his working class roots, became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies.^[6] With two partners he published the Pennsylvania Chronicle, a newspaper that was known for its revolutionary sentiments and criticisms of the British policies. He became wealthy publishing Poor Richard's Almanack and The Pennsylvania Gazette.

He played a major role in establishing the University of Pennsylvania and was elected the first pres

14 Jan 14

katnor08

Franklin Benjamin

11 Dec 13

Nollind Whachell

A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.
In 1727, Benjamin Franklin, then 21, created the Junto, a group of "like minded aspiring artisans and tradesmen who hoped to improve themselves while they improved their community."
His inventions also included social innovations, such as paying forward.
Although Franklin's parents had intended for him to have a career in the Church,^[7] Franklin as a young man adopted the Enlightenment religious belief in deism, that God’s truths can be found entirely through nature and reason.^[
Franklin sought to cultivate his character by a plan of 13 virtues

3 more annotations...

25 Oct 13

Nicole Y

civic organizations, including a fire department and a university.
religious

05 Jun 13

Goldn Locks

us history founders icons dollar president pennsylvania wikipedia

08 May 13

Ron Farrow

history research

ben franklin paper history

Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity; as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies, then as the first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation.^[2] Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment without its heat."^[3] To Walter Isaacson, this makes Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."
e played a major role in establishing the University of Pennsylvania and was elected the first president of the American Philosophical Society. Franklin became a national hero in America when he spearheaded the effort to have Parliament repeal the unpopular Stamp Act. An accomplished diplomat, he was widely admired among the French as American minister to Paris and was a major figure in the development of positive Franco-American relations.

For many years he was the British postmaster for the colonies, which enabled him to set up the first national communications network. He was active in community affairs, colonial and state politics, as well as national and international affairs. From 1785 to 1788, he served as governor of Pennsylvania. Toward the end of his life, he freed his slaves a

19 Mar 13

jenny martin

Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning

18 Feb 13

James S

franklin benjamin benfranklin biography history american

18 Jan 13

Evan B

all about him

16 Jan 13

yoichiro nakamura

abolitionists.

Ian O

Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.
Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.
Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.
Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.
Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.
Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.
Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.
Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.
anuary 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705]^{[Note 1]}^{[Note 2]} – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading au
Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat

8 more annotations...

15 Jan 13

Liam R

Benjamin Franklin Educational

history benjamin franklin wikipedia biography benfranklin wiki American Social Studies

10 Jan 13

SeungHyun Cho

Wikipedia SAT Writing

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705]^{[Note 1]}^{[Note 2]} – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.
As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American 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 'armonica'.^[1] He facilitated many civic organizations, including a fire department and a university.
Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity; as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies, then as the first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation.^[2] Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment.
Franklin, always proud of his working class roots, became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies
Franklin gained international renown as a scientist for his famous experiments in electricity and for his many inventions, especially the lightning rod. He played a major role in establishing the University of Pennsylvania and was elected the first president of the American Philosophical Society. Franklin became a national hero in America when he spearheaded the effort to have Parliament repeal the unpopular Stamp Act. An accomplished diplomat, he was widely admired among the French as American minister to Paris and was a major figure in the development of positive Franco-American relations.
For many years he was the British postmaster for the colonies, which enabled him to set up the first national communications network.
From 1785 to 1788, he served as governor of Pennsylvania. Toward the end of his life, he freed his slaves and became one of the most prominent abolitionists.
His colorful life and legacy of scientific and political achievement, and status as one of America's most influential Founding Fathers
He attended Boston Latin School but did not graduate; he continued his education through voracious reading.
When denied the chance to write a letter to the paper for publication, Franklin adopted the pseudonym of "Mrs. Silence Dogood", a middle-aged widow. "Mrs. Dogood"'s letters were published, and became a subject of conversation around town.
At age 17, Franklin ran away to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, seeking a new start in a new city. When he first arrived, he worked in several printer shops around town.
Franklin worked as a typesetter in a printer's shop
Following this, he returned to Philadelphia in 1726 with the help of Thomas Denham, a merchant who employed Franklin as clerk, shopkeeper, and bookkeeper in his business
In 1727, Benjamin Franklin, then 21, created the Junto, a group of "like minded aspiring artisans and tradesmen who hoped to improve themselves while they improved their community." The Junto was a discussion group for issues of the day;
Reading was a great pastime of the Junto, but books were rare and expensive. The members created a library, initially assembled from their own books. This did not suffice, however. Franklin conceived the idea of a subscription library
Upon Denham's death, Franklin returned to his former trade. In 1728, Franklin had set up a printing house in partnership with Hugh Meredith; the following year he became the publisher of a newspaper called The Pennsylvania Gazette
But even after Franklin had achieved fame as a scientist and statesman, he habitually signed his letters with the unpretentious 'B. Franklin, Printer.
In 1733, Franklin began to publish the famous Poor Richard's Almanack (with content both original and borrowed) under the pseudonym Richard Saunders, on which much of his popular reputation is based. Franklin frequently wrote under pseudonyms. Although it was no secret that Franklin was the author, his Richard Saunders character repeatedly denied it.
He sold about ten thousand copies per year (a circulation equivalent to nearly three million today).
Franklin was a prodigious inventor. Among his many creations were the lightning rod, glass armonica (a glass instrument, not to be confused with the metal harmonica), Franklin stove, bifocal glasses and the flexible urinary catheter. Franklin never patented his inventions; in his autobiography he wrote, "... as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously.
His inventions also included social innovations, such as paying forward. Franklin's fascination with innovation could be viewed as altruistic; he wrote that his scientific works were to be used for increasing efficiency and human improvement. One such improvement was his effort to expedite news services through his printing presses
Franklin had a major influence on the emerging science of demography, or populatio
n studies
the leading works of eighteenth century Anglo-American demography; Drake credits Franklin's "wide readership and prophetic insight."
n 1751, he drafted "Observations concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, &c." Four years later, it was anonymously printed in Boston, and it was quickly reproduced in Britain, where it influenced economists Adam Smith and later Thomas Malthus. Franklin's predictions alarmed British leaders who did not want to be surpassed by the colonies, so they became more willing to impose restrictions on the colonial economy.
Franklin was also a pioneer in the study of slave demography, as shown in his 1755 essay.
As deputy postmaster, Franklin became interested in the North Atlantic Ocean circulation patterns.
His discoveries resulted from his investigations of electricity. Franklin proposed that "vitreous" and "resinous" electricity were not different types of "electrical fluid" (as electricity was called then), but the same electrical fluid under different pressures. He was the first to label them as positive and negative respectively,^[40] and he was the first to discover the principle of conservation of charge
In 1750 he published a proposal for an experiment to prove that lightning is electricity by flying a kite in a storm that appeared capable of becoming a lightning storm.
In his writings, Franklin indicates that he was aware of the dangers and offered alternative ways to demonstrate that lightning was electrical, as shown by his use of the concept of electrical ground
Franklin's electrical experiments led to his invention of the lightning rod. He noted that conductors with a sharp rather than a smooth point were capable of discharging silently, and at a far greater distance.
Franklin noted a principle of refrigeration by observing that on a very hot day, he stayed cooler in a wet shirt in a breeze than he did in a dry one
Temperature's effect on electrical conductivity
In a 1772 letter to Joseph Priestley, Franklin lays out the earliest known description of the Pro & Con list,^[53] a common Decision making technique:
... my Way is, to divide half a Sheet of Paper by a Line into two Columns, writing over the one Pro, and over the other Con.
Franklin is known to have played the violin, the harp, and the guitar.
e developed a much-improved version of the glass harmonica,
Franklin was an avid chess player.
In the same year, he printed a new currency for New Jersey based on innovative anti-counterfeiting techniques he had devised.
In 1736, Franklin created the Union Fire Company, one of the first volunteer firefighting companies in America
In 1743, he set forth a scheme for The Academy and College of Philadelphia.
In 1743, Franklin founded the American Philosophical Society to help scientific men discuss their discoveries and theories.
In 1747, he retired from printing and went into other businesses.
Franklin became involved in Philadelphia politics and rapidly progressed. In October 1748, he was selected as a councilman, in June 1749 he became a Justice of the Peace for Philadelphia, and in 1751 he was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly.
His most notable service in domestic politics was his reform of the postal system, with mail sent out every week
n 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 1754, he headed the Pennsylvania delegation to the Albany Congress
In 1756, Franklin organized the Pennsylvania Militia (see "Associated Regiment of Philadelphia" under heading of Pennsylvania's 103rd Artillery and 111th Infantry
Also in 1756, Franklin became a member of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce
In 1757, he was sent to England by the Pennsylvania Assembly as a colonial agent to protest against the political influence of the Penn family, the proprietors of the colony.
Whilst in London, Franklin became involved in radical politics. He was a member of the Club of Honest Whigs,
At this time, many members of the Pennsylvania Assembly were feuding with William Penn's heirs, who controlled the colony as proprietors. After his return to the colony, Franklin led the "anti-proprietary party" in the struggle against the Penn family, and was elected Speaker of the Pennsylvania House in May 1764. His call for a change from proprietary to royal government was a rare political miscalculation, however: Pennsylvanians worried that such a move would endanger their political and religious freedoms. Because of these fears, and because of political attacks on his character, Franklin lost his seat in the October 1764 Assembly elections.
The anti-proprietary party dispatched Franklin to England again to continue the struggle against the Penn family proprietorship. During this trip, events drastically changed the nature of his mission
In London, Franklin opposed the 1765 Stamp Act. Unable to prevent its passage, he made another political miscalculation and recommended a friend to the post of stamp distributor for Pennsylvania. Pennsylvanians were outraged, believing that he had supported the measure all along, and threatened to destroy his home in Philadelphia. Franklin soon learned of the extent of colonial resistance to the Stamp Act, and his testimony before the House of Commons led to its repeal. With this, Franklin suddenly emerged as the leading spokesman for American interests in England. He wrote popular essays on behalf of the colonies, and Georgia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts also appointed him as their agent to the Crown
Like the other advocates of republicanism, Franklin emphasized that the new republic could survive only if the people were virtuous. All his life he explored the role of civic and personal virtue, as expressed in Poor Richard's aphorisms. Franklin felt that organized religion was necessary to keep men good to their fellow men, but rarely attended religious services himself.
Franklin’s father, a poor chandler, owned a copy of a book, Bonifacius: Essays to Do Good, by the Puritan preacher and family friend Cotton Mather, which Franklin often cited as a key influence on his life.^[96] Franklin’s first pen name, Silence Dogood, paid homage both to the book and to a famous sermon by Mather. The book preached the importance of forming voluntary associations to benefit society.
that our souls are immortal; and that all crime will be punished, and virtue rewarded, either here or hereafter
Franklin’s commitment to teach these values was itself something he gained from his Puritan upbringing, with its stress on “inculcating virtue and character in themselves and their communities.”
One of Franklin's famous characteristics was his respect, tolerance and promotion of all churches.

57 more annotations...

02 Nov 12

nbledsoe17

benjamin franklin wikipedia

31 Oct 12

cjohnson2004

Benjamin Franklin was born on Milk Street, in Boston, Massachusetts
Reading was a great pastime of the Junto,

edanner17

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705]^{[Note 1]}^{[Note 2]} – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American 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 'armonica'.^[1] He facilitated many civic organizations, including a fire department and a university.
"The First American"
author and spokesman in London for several colonies
first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation.^[2] Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment without its heat."^[3] To Walter Isaacson, this makes Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."^[4]
6th President of Pennsylvania
October 18, 1785 – November 5, 1788
newspaper editor
partners with William Goddard and Joseph Galloway the three of whom published the Pennsylvania Chronicle, a newspaper that was known for its revolutionary sentiments and criticisms of the British monarchy in the American colonies.^[6] He became wealthy publishing Poor Richard's Almanack and The Pennsylvania Gazette. Franklin gained international renown as a scientist for his famous experiments in electricity and for his many inventions, especially the lightning rod. He played a major role in establishing the University of Pennsylvania and was elected the first president of the American Philosophical Society. Franklin became a national hero in America when he spearheaded the effort to have Parliament repeal the unpopular Stamp Act. An accomplished diplomat, he was widely admired among the French as American minister to Paris and was a major figure in the development of positive Franco-American relations. For many years he was the British postmaster for the colonies, which enabled him to set up the first national communications network. He was active in community affairs, colonial and state politics, as well as national and international affairs. From 1785 to 1788, he served as governor of Pennsylvania. Toward the end of his life, he freed his slaves and became one of the most prominent abolitionists.
in Philadelphia
honored on coinage and money; warships; the names of many towns, counties, educational institutions, namesakes, and companies; and more than two centuries after his death, countless cultural references.
Born (1706-01-17)January 17, 1706
Boston, Massachusetts Bay Died April 17, 1790(1790-04-17) (aged 84)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Nationality American Political party Independent Spouse(s) Deborah Read Children William Franklin
Francis Folger Franklin
Sarah Franklin Bache
Profession Scientist
Writer
Politician Signature
The State of Franklin, a short-lived independent state formed during the American Revolutionary War
Counties in at least 16 U.S. States
The city of Franklin, the parish seat of St. Mary Parish in south Louisiana
Several major landmarks in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Franklin's longtime home, including
Franklin and Marshall College in nearby Lancaster
Franklin Field, a football field once home to the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League and the home field of the
University of Pennsylvania Quakers since 1895
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge across the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey
The Franklin Institute, a science museum in Philadelphia, which presents the Benjamin Franklin Medal
The Sons of Ben soccer supporters club for the Philadelphia Union
Ben Franklin Stores chain of variety stores, with a key-and-spark logo
Franklin Templeton Investments an investment firm whose New York Stock Exchange ticker abbreviation, BEN, is also in honor of Franklin
The Ben Franklin effect from the field of psychology
Benjamin Franklin Shibe, baseball executive and namesake of the longtime Philadelphia baseball stadium
Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce, the fictional character from the M*A*S*H novels, film, and television program
Benjamin Franklin Gates, Nicolas Cage's character from the National Treasure films

26 more annotations...

Caleb Hazelwood

He was active in community affairs, colonial and state politics, as well as national and international affairs. From 1785 to 1788, he served as governor of Pennsylvania.

29 Sep 12

A traducir en español. 135K.

traducción a traducir

18 Sep 12

Brooke Brown

17 Apr 12

Ivan C

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705^[1]] – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.
Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity;
first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation
Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical and democratic values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment.
Franklin, always proud of his working class roots, became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies.
a newspaper that was known for its revolutionary sentiments and criticisms of the British monarchy in the American colonies.
Pennsylvania Chronicle,
Poor Richard's Almanack and The Pennsylvania Gazette.
He played a major role in establishing the University of Pennsylvania and was elected the first president of the American Philosophical Society.
national hero in America when he spearheaded the effort to have Parliament repeal the unpopular Stamp Act.
he was the British postmaster for the colonies, which enabled him to set up the first national communications network
From 1785 to 1788, he served as governor of Pennsylvania.
He was active in community affairs, colonial and state politics, as well as national and international affairs.
Franklin's father, Josiah Franklin was a tallow chandler, a soap-maker and a candle-maker.
After her death, Josiah was married to Abiah Folger on July 9, 1689
Benjamin, their eighth child, was Josiah Franklin's 15th child and tenth and last son.
Ben Franklin's mother, Abiah Folger, was born into a Puritan family
when King Charles I of England began persecuting Puritans
"the sort of rebel destined to transform colonial America"
Benjamin Franklin was born on Milk Street, in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1706^[1] and baptized at Old South Meeting House.
had enough money to send him to school for two years. He attended Boston Latin School but did not graduate;
he continued his education through voracious reading.
At age 17, Franklin ran away to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, seeking a new start in a new city. When he first arrived he worked in several printer shops around town. However, he was not satisfied by the immediate prospects.
In 1727, Benjamin Franklin, then 21, created the Junto, a group of "like minded aspiring artisans and tradesmen who hoped to improve themselves while they improved their community." The Junto was a discussion group for issues of the day; it subsequently gave rise to many organizations in Philadelphia.
The members created a library, initially assembled from their own books
This was the birth of the Library Company of Philadelphia
In 1791, a new building was built specifically for the library. The Library Company is now a great scholarly and research library with 500,000 rare books, pamphlets, and broadsides, more than 160,000 manuscripts, and 75,000 graphic items.
At the age of 17, Franklin proposed to 15-year-old Deborah Read
and Mrs. Read declined Franklin's request to marry her daughter.
Rodgers shortly avoided his debts and prosecution by fleeing to Barbados with her dowry, leaving Deborah behind. Rodgers's fate was unknown, and because of bigamy laws, Deborah was not free to remarry
Franklin established a common-law marriage with Deborah Read on September 1, 1730
they had two children. The first, Francis Folger Franklin, born October 1732, died of smallpox in 1736. Their second child, Sarah Franklin, familiarly called Sally, was born in 1743. She eventually married Richard Bache, had seven children, and cared for her father in his old age.
Deborah's fear of the sea meant that she never accompanied Franklin on any of his extended trips to Europe,
In 1730, at the age of 24, Franklin publicly acknowledged an illegitimate son named William,^[14] who would eventually become the last Loyalist governor of New Jersey. While the identity of William's mother remains unknown, perhaps the responsibility of an infant child gave Franklin a reason to take up residence with Deborah Read. William was raised in the Franklin household but eventually broke with his father over opinions regarding the treatment of the colonies by the British government. The elder Franklin could never accept William's decision to declare his loyalty to the crown.
Among his many creations were the lightning rod, glass armonica (a glass instrument, not to be confused with the metal harmonica), Franklin stove, bifocal glasses and the flexible urinary catheter. Franklin never patented his inventions; in his autobiography he wrote, "... as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously."
Franklin's fascination with innovation could be viewed as altruistic; he wrote that his scientific works were to be used for increasing efficiency and human improvement. One such improvement was his effort to expedite news services through his printing presses.
Franklin is known to have played the violin, the harp, and the guitar. He also composed music,
Franklin was an advocate for paper money
In London, Franklin opposed the 1765 Stamp Act, but when he was unable to prevent its passage
Franklin soon learned of the extent of colonial resistance to the Stamp Act, and his testimony before the House of Commons led to its repeal. With this, Franklin suddenly emerged as the leading spokesman for American interests in England. He wrote popular essays on behalf of the colonies, and Georgia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts also appointed him as their agent to the Crown.^[53]
His reputation meant that he was introduced to many influential scientists and politicians, and also to King Louis XV.
In Dublin, Franklin was invited to sit with the members of the Irish Parliament rather than in the gallery. He was the first American to be given this honor.^[56] While touring Ireland, he was moved by the level of poverty he saw. Ireland's economy was affected by the same trade regulations and laws of Britain that governed America. Franklin feared that America could suffer the same effects should Britain’s "colonial exploitation" continue.
In 1763, soon after Franklin returned to Pennsylvania, the western frontier was engulfed in a bitter war known as Pontiac's Rebellion. The Paxton Boys, a group of settlers convinced that the Pennsylvania government was not doing enough to protect them from American Indian raids, murdered a group of peaceful Susquehannock Indians and then marched on Philadelphia. Franklin helped to organize a local militia to defend the capital against the mob, and then met with the Paxton leaders and persuaded them to disperse. Franklin wrote a scathing attack against the racial prejudice of the Paxton Boys. "If an Indian injures me," he asked, "does it follow that I may revenge that Injury on all Indians?"^[61] He provided an early response to British surveillance through his own network of counter-surveillance and manipulation. “He waged a public relations campaign, secured secret aid, played a role in privateering expeditions, and churned out effective and inflammatory propaganda.
By the time Franklin arrived in Philadelphia on May 5, 1775, the American Revolution had begun with fighting at Lexington and Concord. The New England militia had trapped the main British army in Boston. The Pennsylvania Assembly unanimously chose Franklin as their delegate to the Second Continental Congress. 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.^[54]

At the signing, he is quoted as having replied to a comment by Hancock that they must all hang together: "Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.
On July 26, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the United States Post Office and named Benjamin Franklin as the first United States Postmaster General.
appointed under the Continental Congress. It established a postal system that became the United States Post Office, a system that is still in use today.
When he finally returned home in 1785, Franklin occupied a position only second to that of George Washington as the champion of American independence.
Franklin wrote several essays that attempted to convince his readers of the importance of the abolition of slavery and of the integration of blacks into American society.
Special balloting conducted October 18, 1785 unanimously elected Franklin the sixth President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania,
Like the other advocates of republicanism, Franklin emphasized that the new republic could survive only if the people were virtuous
Franklin felt that organized religion was necessary to keep men good to their fellow men, but rarely attended religious services himself
The book preached the importance of forming voluntary associations to benefit society.
He clarified himself as a deist in his 1771 autobiography
but he admired Whitefield for exhorting people to worship God through good works. Franklin published all of Whitefield’s sermons and journals, thereby boosting the Great Awakening.
...Sunday being my studying day, I never was without some religious principles. I never doubted, for instance, the existence of the Deity; that He made the world, and governed it by His providence; that the most acceptable service of God was the doing good to man; that our souls are immortal; and that all crime will be punished, and virtue rewarded, either here or hereafter.
Puritan virtues and political values he had grown up with, and through his civic work and publishing, he succeeded in passing these values into the American culture permanently.
egalitarianism, education, industry, thrift, honesty, temperance, charity and community spirit.
One of Franklin's famous characteristics was his respect, tolerance and promotion of all churches.
“He helped create a new type of nation that would draw strength from its religious pluralism.”
in John Adams' words, as “’the most mild and equitable establishment of religion that was known in the world.’
“claiming liberty of conscience to be an ‘inalienable right of every rational creature.’”
Franklin’s rejection of dogma and doctrine and his stress on the God of ethics and morality and civic virtue, made him the “prophet of tolerance.”
Franklin as a young man adopted the Enlightenment religious belief in deism, that God’s truths can be found entirely through nature and reason.
Franklin turned back to a belief in the importance of organized religion, on the pragmatic grounds that without God and organized churches, man will not be good.
Franklin did not try to work on them all at once. Instead, he would work on one and only one each week "leaving all others to their ordinary chance". While Franklin did not live completely by his virtues and by his own admission, he fell short of them many times, he believed the attempt made him a better man contributing greatly to his success and happiness, which is why in his autobiography, he devoted more pages to this plan than to any other single point; in his autobiography Franklin wrote, "I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit."
A signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Franklin is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the U.S. His pervasive influence in the early history of the United States has led to his being jocularly called "the only President of the United States who was never President of the United States."^[123] Franklin's likeness is ubiquitous.
In 1976, as part of a bicentennial celebration, Congress dedicated a 20-foot (6 m) marble statue in Philadelphia's Franklin Institute as the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.

65 more annotations...

13 Apr 12

SAJD H

Franklin felt that organized religion was necessary to keep men good to their fellow men, but rarely attended religious services himself
Franklin’s parents were both pious Puritans
He retained a strong faith in a God as the wellspring of morality and goodness in man, and as a Providential actor in history responsible for American independence
he still considered himself a Christian
Franklin retained a lifelong commitment to the Puritan virtues and political values he had grown up with
Franklin as a young man adopted the Enlightenment religious belief
As a young man he rejected Christian dogma in a 1725

5 more annotations...

27 Feb 12

McKay Whisenhunt III

11 Jan 12

Polly Simpkins

american revolution benjamin franklin ben

09 Jan 12

Justin Owen

was a leadin
Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity; as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies, then as the first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation
Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical and democratic values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant
accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."^[4]

Franklin, always proud of his working class roots, became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, the leading city in the
colonies. He was also partners with William Goddard and Joseph Galloway the three of whom published the Pennsylvania Chronicle, a

3 more annotations...

22 Dec 11

Emily Small

15 Dec 11

wikipedia Benjamin-Franklin innovators Interesting-People

08 Dec 11

Tyler Hodge

was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. A

20 Oct 11

Christopher Logsdon

05 Sep 11

Mary Hillis

Franklin's 13 Virtues. Compare Gatz/Gatsby's virtues as recommended in The Great Gatsby in the Classroom by David Dowling

greatgatsby

14 Aug 11

Université Gothic [Nom du dossier]

29 Jul 11

j r

29 Apr 11

Michelle R

franklin benjamin history revolutionaries

Alexander S

This article is about the American statesman. For other uses, see Benjamin Franklin (disambiguation).

benjaminfranklin wikipedia history

12 Apr 11

vitaliy M.

"Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705[1]] – 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, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American 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 'armonica'. He formed both the first public lending library in America and the first fire department in Pennsylvania.

Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity; as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies, then as the first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation.[2] Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical and democratic values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment without its heat."[3] To Walter Isaacson, this makes Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."[4]

Franklin, always proud of his working class roots, became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies. He was also partners with William Goddard and Joseph Galloway the three of whom published the Pennsylvania Chronicle, a newspaper that was known for its revolutionary sentiments and criticisms of the British monarchy in the American colonies.[5] He became wealt

04 Apr 11

daniel rezac

images pictures history ben franklin

26 Mar 11

Ben Mengden

Career Research Scientists

19 Mar 11

nickinator

he printed a new currency for New Jersey based on innovative anti-counterfeiting techniques which he had devised. Throughout his career, Franklin was an advocate for paper money, publishing A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency in 1729, and his printer printed money. He was influential in the more restrained and thus successful monetary experiments in the Middle Colonies, which stopped deflation without causing excessive inflation. In 1766 he made a case for paper money to the British House of Commons.^[50]
October 1748, he was selected as a councilman, in June 1749 he became a Justice of the Peace for Philadelphia, and in 1751 he was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly. On August 10, 1753, Franklin was appointed joint deputy postmaster-general of North America. His most notable service in domestic politics was his reform of the postal system, with mail sent out every week.^[11]
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 1753, both Harvard and Yale awarded him honorary degrees.^[51]
In 1754, he headed the Pennsylvania delegation to the Albany Congress. This meeting of several colonies had been requested by the Board of Trade in England to improve relations with the Indians and defense against the French. Franklin proposed a broad Plan of Union for the colonies. While the plan was not adopted, elements of it found their way into the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.
In 1757, he was sent to England by the Pennsylvania Assembly as a colonial agent to protest against the political influence of the Penn family, the proprietors of the colony. He remained there for five years, striving to end the proprietors' prerogative to overturn legislation from the elected Assembly, and their exemption from paying taxes on their land. His lack of influential allies in Whitehall led to the failure of this mission.
Whilst in London, Franklin became involved in radical politics. He was a member of the Club of Honest Whigs, alongside thinkers such as Richard Price, the minister of Newington Green Unitarian Church who ignited the Revolution Controversy.
In London, Franklin opposed the 1765 Stamp Act, but when he was unable to prevent its passage, he made another political miscalculation and recommended a friend to the post of stamp distributor for Pennsylvania. Pennsylvanians were outraged, believing that he had supported the measure all along, and threatened to destroy his home in Philadelphia. Franklin soon learned of the extent of colonial resistance to the Stamp Act, and his testimony before the House of Commons led to its repeal. With this, Franklin suddenly emerged as the leading spokesman for American interests in England. He wrote popular essays on behalf of the colonies, and Georgia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts also appointed him as their agent to the Crown.^[54]
In September 1767, Franklin visited Paris with his usual traveling partner, Sir John Pringle. News of his electrical discoveries was widespread in France. His reputation meant that he was introduced to many influential scientists and politicians, and also to King Louis XV.^[55]

7 more annotations...

15 Mar 11

Michelle Y

biography

Franklin became a national hero in America when he spearheaded the effort to have Parliament repeal the unpopular Stamp Act.

18 Feb 11

Danielle Shatrowsky

17 Feb 11

Meghan Jones

Benjamin, their eighth child, was Josiah Franklin's fifteenth child and tenth and last son.

17 Jan 11

Junnie Matt

ha! - never knew Mr. Lightbulb wasn't legally married...

benjamin franklin

11 Jan 11

Aubrey Maurer

Heroes2011BenjaminFranklin Malick 5thgrade Wikipedia

09 Jan 11

Yugioh1994 Yugioh1994

07 Oct 10

Dennis P

benjamin franklin

benjamin franklin wiki

20 Sep 10

Marge Runkle

Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity; as a writer and spokesman in London for several colonies

23 Apr 10

Clarissa Caraballo

20 Apr 10

Edson Ordonez

benjamin franklin wikipedia

Cristian Colon

benjamin franklin wikipedia

14 Apr 10

Jaylen Gibson

benjamin franklin

one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, soldier,^[2] and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity

13 Apr 10

x3 aLiysha snipeS♥

01 Apr 10

ta_te_

He was an early proponent of colonial unity, and as a political writer and activist, he supported the idea of an American nation.

25 Mar 10

Matthew Dumbrique

Inventions and scientific inquiries

Adonis Bencosme

american History benjamin franklin

Benjamin Franklin

24 Mar 10

Adrian Gonzalez

19 Mar 10

Janelly Rodriguez

was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
colorful life and legacy of scientific and political achievement, and status as one of America's most influential Founding Fathers, have seen Franklin honored on coinage and money; warships; the names of many towns, counties, educational institutions, namesakes, and companies; and more than two centuries after his death, countless cultural references.

Janaisha Torres

benjamin

29 Oct 09

Ray lai

benjamin franklin scientist inventions

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 'armonica'.

26 Aug 09

Andrew Roback

HUM106

17 May 09

Chris inCa

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705] – 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,

benfranklin colonialera us revolution

16 May 09

Mike Stenhouse

history interesting social research

26 Jul 08

harkisanbhate

Biographies

09 Mar 08

Brain BackBend

benfranklin franklin

30 Jan 08

s s

franklin

08 Jan 08

dullhunk

I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country. He is a bird of bad moral character.

qotd

03 Dec 07

hianna

invented the idea of an American nation,^[1] and as a diplomat during the American Revolution, he secured the French alliance that helped to make independence possible.
national hero in America when he spearheaded the effort to have Parliament repeal the unpopular Stamp Act.
diplomat
Franklin emphasized that the new republic could survive only if the people were virtuous in the sense of attention to civic duty and rejection of corruption
exploring the role of civic and personal virtue, as expressed in Poor Richard's aphorisms
morality was more dependent upon virtue and benevolent actions than on strict obedience to religious orthodoxy:
Like most Enlightenment intellectuals, Franklin separated virtue, morality, and faith from organized religion, although he felt that if religion in general grew weaker, morality, virtue, and society in general would also decline.
Franklin believed that a faith in God should inform our daily actions, but that, like other deists, his faith was devoid of sectarian dogma.

6 more annotations...

23 Apr 06

Maggie Tsai

nn penn

Benjamin Franklin (
One of the earliest Founders, Franklin was noted for his curiosity, writings, ingenuity and diversity of interests. His wise and scintillating writings are proverbial to this day.
As an agent in London before the Revolution, and Minister to France during, he more than anyone defined the new nation in the minds of Europe. His success in securing French military and financial aid was the turning point for American victory over Britain. He invented the lightning rod; he was an early proponent of colonial unity; historians hail him as the "First American".
Born in Boston, Massachusetts to a tallow-maker, Franklin learned printing from his older brother and became a newspaper editor, printer, and merchant in Philadelphia, becoming very wealthy. He spent many years in England and published the famous Poor Richard's Almanack and the Pennsylvania Gazette. He formed both the first public lending library and fire department in America as well as the Junto, a political discussion club.
He became a national hero in America when he convinced Parliament to repeal the unpopular Stamp Act.
Franklin was interested in science and technology, carrying out his famous electricity experiments and invented the Franklin stove, medical catheter, lightning rod, swimfins, glass harmonica, and bifocals. He also played a major role in establishing the higher education institutions that would become thee University of Pennsylvania and the Franklin and Marshall College. In addition, Franklin was a noted linguist, fluent in five languages.

4 more annotations...

Benjamin Franklin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - The Diigo Meta page

Would you like to comment?

Top Tags

Check out another URL