04/19/2026
AskKirkLockhartAbout History 🥹Interesting Gentleman
Benjamin Franklin Biography & Facts - AmericanRevolution.org
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) was a pivotal American Founding Father, born and raised in Boston, MA, before establishing himself in Philadelphia, PA. A self-taught polymath with only two years of formal schooling, he built a career as a printer, publisher, author, scientist, and diplomat, leaving a legacy as a key author of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
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Early Life, Education, and Residence
Born: January 17, 1706, on Milk Street in Boston, Massachusetts, the 15th of 17 children.
Raised: In Boston; son of a tallow chandler (candle and soap maker).
Education: Attended Boston Latin School but attended school for only two years before leaving at age 10 to work. He was primarily self-taught through voracious reading.
Apprenticeship: At 12, he was apprenticed to his brother James, a printer, where he learned his trade.
Lived Where: Primarily Boston (early life), London (1724–1726, 1757–1775), and Philadelphia (permanent home from 1726 onward).
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
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Professional Resume & Accomplishments
Printer & Publisher (Primary Profession): Founded his own printing shop in Philadelphia in 1728. Published The Pennsylvania Gazette and the popular Poor Richard’s Almanack (1732–1757).
Civic Leader: Founded the Library Company of Philadelphia (1731), the Union Fire Company (1736), and the Academy of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania).
Inventor & Scientist: Conducted famous experiments with electricity (kite experiment), invented the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove.
Diplomat & Statesman: Served as Postmaster General, agent for Pennsylvania in London, delegate to the Continental Congress, and minister to France during the American Revolution.
Founding Father: Helped draft and signed the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris, and the U.S. Constitution.
Awards: Received honorary degrees from Harvard, Yale, William and Mary, Oxford, and St. Andrews.
Benjamin Franklin College
Benjamin Franklin College
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He died on April 17, 1790, in Philadelphia.
Although never completing a formal education, Benjamin Franklin constantly learned about everything he could, using his natural wisdom to make waves in colon...