Benjamin Franklin - Biography.

Benjamin Franklin - Biography. American printer, author, diplomat, philosopher, and scientist Birth January 17, 1706 Death April 17, 1790 Place of Boston, Massachusetts Birth Known for Contributing to the formation of the United States and representing the country abroad Experimenting with electricity and developing inventions Milestones 1723 Left home in Boston at the age of 17, eventually establishing himself as a printer in Philadelphia 1729 Bought the Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper, which he published until his retirement in 1748 1732-1757 Published Poor Richard's Almanack 1751-1764 Served several terms as a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly 1752 Conducted his famous experiment with a kite, proving that lightning is an electrical phenomenon 1753 Appointed deputy postmaster general to the colonies 1775 Served as a member of the Second Continental Congress, and was appointed to the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence 1776-1785 Served as ambassador to France, successfully securing French support for the newly formed United States 1785 Won election as president of the executive council of Pennsylvania 1787 As a member of the Constitutional Convention, helped to establish consensus on the provisions for a federal government Did You Franklin worked unstintingly to build compromise and consensus during the Constitutional Convention. In the end, he urged the delegates Know to adopt the Constitution unanimously as a show of solidarity for the states, even though he himself did not approve of all its provisions. Franklin worked to abolish slavery in the United States. His success as a printer enabled Franklin to retire at age 42 and pursue his scientific and political interests. Franklin invented bifocals and the lightning rod, and charted the course of the Gulf Stream. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.