Benjamin Franklin
Sign in to saveAmerican polymath and statesman (1706–1790)
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Benjamin Franklin was an American inventor, scientist, writer, and political leader who lived from 1706 to 1790 and made significant contributions across multiple fields. He is historically important because of his diverse accomplishments and his influential role in early American history.
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Person · Open Library
- Born
- 17 January 1706
- Died
- 17 April 1790
- Works
- 1518
Top works
- Silence Dogood, the Busy-Body, and early writings
- Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin
- Information to those who would remove to America
- An account of the principle and effects of the air stove-grates (which warm rooms, &c. by a continual introduction and exchange of dry fresh air,) commonly known by the name of American stoves
- ベンジャミン・フランクリン
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Listeners · Last.fm
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Article
Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705] – April 17, 1790) was an American polymath: a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political philosopher. Among the most influential intellectuals of his time, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States; a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence; and the first postmaster general.
Born in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Franklin became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies, publishing The Pennsylvania Gazette at age 23. He became wealthy publishing this and Poor Richard's Almanack, which he wrote under the pseudonym "Richard Saunders". After 1767, he was associated with the Pennsylvania Chronicle, a newspaper known for its revolutionary sentiments and criticisms of the policies of the British Parliament and the Crown. He pioneered and was the first president of the Academy and College of Philadelphia, which opened in 1751 and later became the University of Pennsylvania. He organized and was the first secretary of the American Philosophical Society and was elected its president in 1769. He was appointed deputy postmaster-general for the British colonies in 1753, which enabled him to set up the first national communications network.
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1706 births1790 deaths18th-century American diplomats18th-century American inventors18th-century American journalists18th-century American letter writers18th-century American male writers18th-century American newspaper publishers (people)18th-century American non-fiction writers18th-century American philosophers18th-century American publishers (people)