So, You Think You Know Benjamin Franklin!

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 In Boston, Massachusetts. From a modest beginning as the son of a candle-maker, he became a highly intelligent and prolific adult who lived a long life of fame and fortune. He made multiple contributions to humanity everywhere.

He was an author, printer, political theorist, politician, businessman, musician, free mason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic leader, founder of America’s first public library, governor, diplomat, crucial military assistant to Washington during the revolutionary war and signer of the Declaration of Independence as a Founding Father of the United States of America.

His Inventions include swimming fins, bifocal glasses. the Franklin stove, lightning rod, glass harmonica, flexible catheter and odometer. The lightning rod and its grounding wire were of enormous benefit to buildings all over the world. especially TALL buildings. His scientific advances include the discovery of the Gulf Stream. the nature of electricity and control of lightning strikes. His publications include the Pennsylvania Gazette , Poor Richard’s Almanac and many others.

As a diplomat, he served as Minister to Sweden and later as Minister to France. As a friend of royalty in France, he arranged the crucial sailing of French war ships and weapons to the under-armed troops of the revolutionary forces In America.

He served as General Postmaster in Philadelphia, organized the first fire department in Philadelphia. served as governor of Pennsylvania and was active in numerous actions at the local. state, national and international level. He founded the University of Pennsylvania.

lt’s amazing that he got involved in so many things, and even more amazing, THAT HE DID THEM, ALL SO WELL.  Now, perhaps. you know Benjamin Franklin a LITTLE BIT BETTER.