Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) - American politician, diplomat, scientist, inventor, writer, journalist, publisher, freemason. One of the leaders of the US War of Independence. Depicted on the $ 100 bill.

The only founding father to have signed all 3 of the most important historical documents that underpinned the formation of the United States as an independent state: the United States Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and the Treaty of Versailles of 1783 (Second Paris Peace Treaty), which formally ended the war of independence of 13 British North American colonies from the UK.

There are many interesting facts in Franklin's biography, which we will tell about in this article.

So, here is a short biography of Benjamin Franklin.

Franklin Benjamin biography

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston. He grew up and was brought up in a large family, being the youngest of 17 children.

His father, Josiah Franklin, made candles and soap, and his mother, Abia Folger, raised the children and ran the household.

Childhood and youth

Franklin Sr. emigrated from Britain to America with his family in 1662. He was a Puritan, so he feared religious persecution in his homeland.

When Benjamin was about 8 years old, he went to school, where he could study for only 2 years. This was due to the fact that the father could no longer pay for his son's studies. As a result, the future inventor was engaged in self-education.

During the day, the child helped his father make soap, and in the evening he sat over books. It is worth noting that he borrowed books from friends, since the Franklins could not afford to buy them.

Benjamin did not show much zeal for physical labor, which upset the head of the family. In addition, he had no desire to become a clergyman, as his father wanted. When he was 12 years old, he began working as an apprentice in the printing house of his brother James.

Printing became Benjamin Franklin's main work for many years. At that time, biographies, he tried to write ballads, one of which was published by his brother. When Franklin Sr. found out about this, he did not like it, because in his eyes poets were rogue.

Benjamin wanted to become a journalist as soon as James started publishing the newspaper. However, he understood that this would seriously anger his father. As a result, the young man began to write articles and essays in the form of letters, where he skillfully denounced public mores.

In letters Franklin resorted to sarcasm, ridiculing human vices. At the same time, he was published under a pseudonym, hiding his true name from readers. But when James found out who the author of the letters was, he immediately kicked out his brother.

This led to the fact that Benjamin fled to Philadelphia, where he got a job in one of the local printing houses. There he showed himself as a talented specialist. Soon he was sent to London to buy machines and open a printing house in Philadelphia.

The guy liked the English press so much that after 10 years he founded his own printing house. Thanks to this, he managed to receive a stable income and become a financially independent person. As a result, Franklin was able to focus his attention on politics and science.

Politics

Benjamin's political biography began in Philadelphia. In 1728, he opened a discussion group, which 15 years later became the American Philosophical Society.

During the life of 1737-753. Franklin held the post of postmaster of Pennsylvania, and from 1753 to 1774 - the same position throughout the colonies of St. America. In addition, he founded the University of Pennsylvania (1740), which was the first university in the United States.

Beginning in 1757, Benjamin Franklin represented the interests of 4 American states in Britain for about 13 years, and in 1775 he became a delegate to the 2nd Congress of the Colonies on the Continent.

Joining the group led by Thomas Jefferson, the man sketched the coat of arms (Great Seal) of the United States. After signing the Declaration of Independence (1776), Franklin arrived in France, wishing to form an alliance with her against Britain.

Thanks to the efforts of the politician, about 2 years later, the contract was signed by the French. An interesting fact is that in France he became a member of the Nine Sisters Masonic Lodge. Thus, he was the first American Freemason.

In the 1780s, Benjamin Franklin traveled as part of an American delegation to negotiate in Great Britain, where the historic Treaty of Versailles of 1783 was concluded, which formally ended the US War of Independence.

Beginning in 1771, Franklin wrote an autobiography, which he never completed. He wanted to present her in the form of memoirs, describing in it various interesting facts from life. It is worth noting that the book "Autobiography" was published after his death.

Benjamin's political views were based on the concept of the key rights of any person - life, liberty and property.

According to his philosophical views, he was inclined towards deism - a religious and philosophical trend that recognizes the existence of God and the creation of the world by him, but denies most of the supernatural phenomena, Divine revelation and religious dogmatism.

During the American Revolutionary War, Franklin became the author of the plan for the Union of the Colonies. In addition, he was an adviser to the commander-in-chief of the army, George Washington. An interesting fact is that Washington is the first popularly elected president of the United States.

In 1778 France became the first European country to recognize American independence.

Franklin's personality

Benjamin Franklin was an extremely unusual person, as evidenced not only by his achievements, but also by the reviews of his contemporaries. As a pundit who was actively involved in politics, he nevertheless paid great attention to moral improvement.

He had a whole system of views on life and moral values. Read interesting facts about Benjamin Franklin's daily routine and moral plan here.

Franklin's autobiography is published as a separate book, which can be purchased at any bookstore. It has become a classic textbook for those involved in personal development. If you are interested in the figure of Franklin and his place in history, or if you are generally fond of self-development, we strongly recommend that you read this wonderful book.

Inventions and Science

Even as a child, Benjamin Franklin showed unusual mental abilities. Once, having come to the sea, he tied planks to his feet, which became the prototype of fins. As a result, the boy overtook all the guys in the children's competitions.

Soon Franklin again surprised his comrades by constructing a kite. He lay down with his back on the water and, holding on to the rope, rushed along the water surface, as if under sail.

Growing up, Benjamin became the author of many discoveries and inventions. Let's list some of the achievements of the scientist Franklin:

invented a lightning rod (lightning rod);
introduced the designation of electrically charged states "+" and "-";
substantiated the electrical nature of lightning;
created bifocals;
invented a rocking chair, having received a patent for its manufacture;
designed an economical compact stove for heating homes, abandoning a patent - for the benefit of all compatriots;
collected large material on storm winds.
with the participation of the inventor, measurements of the speed, width and depth of the Gulf Stream were carried out. It is worth noting that the current owes its name to Franklin.

These are far from all the inventions of Benjamin, who was able to be noted in various scientific fields.

Personal life

There were many women in Franklin's personal biography. As a result, he planned to enter into an official marriage with a girl named Deborah Reed. However, during a trip to London, he struck up a relationship with the daughter of the owner of the apartment where he lived.

As a result of this relationship, Benjamin had an illegitimate son, William. When the scientist returned home with the illegitimate boy, Deborah forgave him and adopted the child. At that time, she remained a straw widow, abandoned by her husband fleeing debt.

In the civil marriage of Benjamin Franklin and Deborah Reed, two more children were born: a girl Sarah and a boy Francis, who died of smallpox in early childhood. The couple were not happy together, which is why they lived for only about 2 years.

The man had a lot of mistresses. In the mid-1750s, he began an affair with Catherine Ray, with whom he corresponded for the rest of his life. Relations with the owner of the house, where Benjamin lived with his family, continued for several years.

When Franklin was 70 years old, he fell in love with 30-year-old Frenchwoman Brillon de Jouy, who was his last love.

Death

Benjamin Franklin died on April 17, 1790 at the age of 84. About 20,000 people came to say goodbye to the great politician and scientist, while the city's population was about 33,000 citizens. After his death, a 2-month mourning period was declared in the United States.