Transcript ABC Biography of

ABC Biography of
Benjamin
Franklin
Although Ben Franklin was born
in Boston, the city of Philadelphia
was known as his home.
Benjamin’s father wanted him to go
into the clergy.
Clergymen require years of school and Ben’s
father could only afford to send him for one
year.
During his youth, Ben worked as an apprentice
in his brother’s printing and newspaper
businesses.
Even though Ben had kept the newspaper going
while his brother was in prison, his brother
harassed and beat him when he was released.
For his own safety, Ben ran away
to Philadelphia.
Getting started in his own business
was difficult, but Ben managed to
open his own print shop.
He married his childhood
sweetheart and together they ran
the print shop, a general store, and
a book store.
In 1729, Benjamin bought a newspaper, The
Pennslyvania Gazette. He contributed articles under
aliases and created the first political cartoon.
Just a few years later, in 1733, Ben
began to write and publish Poor
Richard’s Almanac.
Keeping to his strong civic convictions,
Ben launched projects to pave, clean, and
light Philadelphia’s streets.
Later, he started the first fire department in the
city, and founded an insurance company for
those who lost homes in fires.
Making a decision to retire from business in 1749,
Ben started concentrating on science, experiments,
and inventions.
Never one to give up, Ben invented
swim fins, bifocals, the Franklin
stove, and other things.
Observations, such as his kite experiment, led to
the discovery of electricity.
Politics became an active interest for Franklin
and he spent the next 18 years in England as a
colonial representative.
Quitting his London position, Franklin returned to
America where he worked on the committee to draft
the Declaration of Independence.
Right after his wife died, Franklin moved to
France where he served as an ambassador.
Speaking a little French, Franklin
became with the ladies and was a
notorious flirt.
The Treaty of France was signed by Franklin in
1783, after the Americans had won the
Revolution.
Until his late seventies, Franklin stayed in France.
Finally he returned to America.
Voters elected Franklin to the
Executive council of Pennsylvania.
While serving as a delegate,
Franklin signed the Constitution.
eXactly why he died is not known, but Franklin
passed away in 1790 at the age of 84.
Years of public service had made Franklin very
popular. Over 20,000 people attended his funeral.
Zealous supporters say that
Franklin’s “electric” personality
still lights the world.
Information and images in
this presentation are from:
http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/