Benjamin Franklin

"If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing." ~ B. Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was one of the greatest American citizens that ever lived and the people will never forget him. He was an inventor, a scientists, a statesman, a printer, a philosopher, a musician, and an economist. He lived by his words and he tried to write as much as he could, he also tried to do things worth writing by dedicating most of his life to his native land. Today he is honored as one of America's Founding Fathers. Although he was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17,1706; the city of Philadelphia is known as his home. His father Josiah Franklin was a soap maker and he had 17 children including Benjamin Franklin. He received some formal education but was principally self-taught.

He worked in the fourth newspaper published in the colonies called the "New England Courant". This newspaper was founded by James his half-brother. Franklin wrote 14 essays for this newspaper and this were his first published writings, however they were kept secret. Later, he became a printer and he published "The Pennsylvania Gazette" which ran from 1730-1748. But his most succesful published book was an annual publication called: "Poor Richard's Almanac". This book had so  much popularity that it was second only to the Bible and it spread to Europe. By 1748, he achieved recognition for his writings and financial independence.

He was the leader of a political party and during the controversy of the Stamp Act, he became the spokesman of American Rights in London. His reputation was endangered when he and his family were threatened by the mob who opposed his ideas. But Franklin was not a coward, he stood by the American position in the House of Commons and this restored his prestige. When he returned to Pennsylvania, he became an important member of the Continental Congress. After only one year had passed, he served on the committee that helped draft the Declaration of Independence. He served his country until the end in fact, shortly before he died he signed a memorial recommending the abolition of slavery. Benjamin Franklin died on 1790 when he was 84 years old in Philadelphia, and this great man is an example of the most outstanding American citizens of all time.