Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17th, 1706. Benjamin passed away April 17th, 1790 at 84 years old. Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, MA, USA.
Benjamin Franklin was a founding father of the United States and a symbol of versatility, as he was a signer and drafter of the Declaration of Independence, a political philosopher, writer, publisher, scientist, inventor, diplomat, and statesman. Highlighting his many roles can inspire appreciation for his broad impact.
He began working at a very young age, and as a teenager, he worked in the candle-making business his father used to run. Franklin would first become a printer's apprentice before moving to Philadelphia, where he established his own printing business.
Benjamin Franklin was a man curious about science, making discoveries about lightning and studying electricity. His inventions, like the Franklin stove, lightning rod, and bifocal lenses, demonstrate how his scientific curiosity improved everyday life, inspiring admiration for his ingenuity.
Franklin founded the Union Fire Company, Philadelphia's first volunteer fire department, lit and paved city streets, and established a school that would become the University of Pennsylvania. These acts can evoke pride and a sense of civic duty in readers.
As a politician, he clerked for the Pennsylvania Assembly and helped negotiate with France during the American Revolution, in addition to helping make peace with Britain.
While he once enslaved people, Franklin's views changed over time, and he became an outspoken advocate against slavery. He petitioned Congress to put a stop to slavery shortly before his death, reflecting his evolving beliefs.
In 1971, Benjamin Franklin's
The Autobiography and Other Writings was published posthumously.
The collection comes with pieces from his scientific essays, newspaper work, playful letters, and sayings from
Poor Richard's Almanac. The work also includes Benjamin's wise quotes, political writings, poems, and humour.
It also includes a version of Franklin's biography that presents his life in an honest but straightforward voice. The writings paint a picture of a man who remained committed to freedom and truth for much of his life, who questioned everything, and who loved ideas.
In one of his most popular works,
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, he chronicles his rise from an apprentice to a printer before he became a respected and wise leader.
He shares stories from his childhood with his son, including his mistakes and his constant striving to better himself. He tells of conducting science experiments, helping start civic groups and libraries, and building his printing business from the ground up.
The latter parts of the work recount his trip to England and his public service.
In the 2015 work
Invention and Discovery, Benjamin Franklin recounts the slow understanding of the mysteries of electricity that led to the creation of fundamental tools.
It follows the earliest experiments and how scientists such as Henry, Faraday, and Franklin pushed things forward with new questions and bold tests. It explains the invention of the telegraph and how engineers found it difficult to lay the cables on the ocean floor.
The work shows how electrical science left the classroom to become a technology that reshaped the modern world and transformed communication.
Benjamin Franklin: Lists & Other Mentions
- The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was a Literary Hub: Quintessential American Fiction, According to the Rest of the World Selection in 2015.
Related Authors
Fans of Benjamin Franklin also enjoy these authors:
- Jane Austen, author of: Pride and Prejudice.
- James Patterson, author of the Alex Cross Series.
- Harper Lee, author of the To Kill a Mockingbird Series.
- John Grisham, author of the Jake Brigance Series.
- Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
Benjamin Franklin: F.A.Q
When was Benjamin Franklin Born?
Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17th, 1706.
When did Benjamin Franklin die?
Benjamin Franklin died on April 17th, 1790 at 84 years old.
Where was Benjamin Franklin Born?
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, MA, USA.
What was the first book Benjamin Franklin wrote?
The first book written by Benjamin Franklin was The Way to Wealth, published in 1757.
What was the most recent book Benjamin Franklin wrote?
His most recently released work was The Life Story of Benjamin Franklin (a short story) on October 15th, 2019.
What is the most popular book by Benjamin Franklin?
Based on the number of readers on Book Notification, the most popular Benjamin Franklin book is
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Here are his most popular books:
- The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (7)
How many books has Benjamin Franklin written?
Benjamin Franklin has written 80 books excluding contributions to anthologies. 42 books in The Papers of Benjamin Franklin Series, 2 books in the Children's Books, 20 Collections, 16 Non-Fiction Books.