Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 in Boston and became one of the most influential figures in American history. He made important contributions in many fields, including as a statesman, author, printer, scientist and inventor. As a diplomat, he helped obtain funds and support from France that were essential for the American Revolution. Franklin signed several important documents and was instrumental in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Despite sacrifices to his personal life, Franklin's wisdom, leadership and accomplishments still provide an example for American society today.

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History
8 February 2012
Biography of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin is no doubt one of the greatest men in the history of America. He was
a statesman, a father, an author, a scientist, a philosopher, a printer, an activist, a peacemaker, a
postmaster, a musician, an inventor and a politician (“National Archives”). He is revered as one
of the founding fathers of the United States due to his contribution towards the independence of
our great nation. He is a man who preached water and drank the same water. In this research
paper we look into his life, the characteristics that made him successful, and his contribution
towards independence and why he is still relevant to today’s American society.
Benjamin was born in Milk Street Boston as the tenth son of Josiah Franklin, a soap
maker, on January 17, 1706. Josiah had a total of 17 children, which made it difficult for him to
formally educate his young ones. Benjamin joined grammar school at eight years and later a
clergyman school but did not stay for long. One year later his father ran out of money to pay the
fees. He then attached him to his elder brother James, who was a printer (Franklin 21). At a
tender age of twelve he was on the streets selling the prints. James was a strict man who would
not allow his brother to write articles for his newspaper, The New England Courant
(“Founders”).To go round this, Benjamin would write anonymous letters titled “Silence
Dogood.” The letters were a hit. Benjamin confessed to writing the letters later, which made him

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fall out with his envious brother. James was jailed for his views and prints on Smallpox. While in
jail, Benjamin ran the newspaper. Upon his release, James battered Benjamin, and when he could
not take it any longer he fled to Philadelphia where he worked as an apprentice printer. It was
here that he met his future wife Deborah, who then thought that he looked awkward (Isaacson 1).
He made a trip to England but settled in Philadelphia where he started his own printing
shop, wrote and published The Pennsylvania Gazette and later Poor Richard's Almanack. He was
passionate about Philadelphia, often helping with tasks such as cleaning the city and launching a
library. He also helped in founding an insurance company which gave financial compensation to
those who suffered from fire tragedies. Later in life he retired from business and studied science,
especially electricity. He made significant contributions to science by pioneering inventions in
swim fins, library chair, extension arm, lighting rod, odometer and the three wheel clock (“It’s
the Little Things”). He joined politics in the late 1750s as he represented Pennsylvania, Georgia,
New Jersey and Massachusetts in London, England and in France. He returned home in 1776
where he and four others drafted the Declaration of Independence.
Benjamin was a man who could do many things. His wisdom made him prosper, as
everything he touched turned out into gold. He was a trustworthy person. When his brother was
jailed, he continued with his business, and sure enough, the business was still thriving when
James emerged from the cagy doors of jail. He was a hardworking man. In his book Benjamin
Franklin: An American Life, Walter Isaacson states that “as a young printer in Philadelphia, he
carted rolls of paper through the streets to give the appearance of being Industrious” (2). This
shows his hardworking nature. Benjamin was very responsible. When he was sent to England to

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represent Pennsylvania he did his job diligently, to the extent of even going to France to lobby
for America to gain independence. His loyalty is beyond any doubt.
While in England he was loyal to the king, but later he was even more loyal to the
American people by preferring to go back home. He even fell out with his son for this reason. He
was also very enduring. He was constantly faced with difficult tasks which required him to
withstand. For example his brother James often treated him badly; sometimes he even beat him,
which he endured for a long time (Thomas 25). He was also very determined. He left his
girlfriend in Pennsylvania, only to return and find her married to another man. That did not deter
him from marrying her after her husband died (“Electric Ben Franklin”).
His family was diverse. Coming from a large family helped to mold him into the man he
later turned out to be. His father, an astute man, had clear objectives of what he wanted his
children to be. He is the one who introduced him to the printing business, an art that was his
bread and butter for a long time. His wife Deborah, was very supportive even at a time when she
did not know him. She welcomed him to their home and lived with him before his departure to
London (“Electric Ben Franklin”). She brought up Benjamin’s son, William, like her own son
(“The Franklin Institute”).
The contributions of the founding father to our independence cannot be forgotten. In his
2011 book Benjamin Franklin, Gillian Gosman states that “many of his ideas played an
important part in the formation of the United States” (4). He fostered unity and development in
American colonies. Other than working in the committee that came up with the Independence
Declaration, he served in the first and the second Continental Congress. After the signing of this
declaration he embarked on a diplomatic mission to France where he represented thirteen

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colonies. While in France he lobbied for funds, equipment, labor and many other essentials that
were used in the revolution. He used his diplomacy skills to serve to benefit his people. He
entered the annals of history as being the only man to sign four critical documents that brought
the United States into existence, namely Declaration of Independence, Treaty of Alliance, Amity
and Commerce with France and the Constitution (“The Franklin Institute”). His contributions
were costly. His job required that he travels to distant countries. His wife had a phobia for sea
travel and opted to remain at home. He was forced to live a lonely life away from his dear wife.
His contribution separated him from his family, to an extent that his wife died when he was
overseas. At the time when he decided it was time to be wholly loyal to his people; his son was
already in England. He refused to join hands with his father in the noble course. They were never
reconciled, not even at his death bed. His sacrifices cost him his family life.
Benjamin was an exceptional leader who did so much with very little. His times may be
long gone, but those very moments are still very relevant to the American people. His wisdom,
courage, innovation, political goodwill, determination, honesty, loyalty, boldness and wit are
what is required to take America to the promised land. He would be a good leader for today’s
American society.

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Works Cited
“Electric Ben Franklin.” A quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin. 2012. Web. 8 Feb. 2012.
“Founders.” Digital History. 2011. Web. 8 Feb. 2012.
Franklin B. Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. New York, 1916. Print.
Gosman, Gilian. Benjamin Franklin. New York. 2011. Print.
“It’s the little things.” Inquiring Mind. 2011. Web. 8 Feb. 2012.
Isaacson, Walter. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life. New York. 2003. Print.
“National Archives” The Centre for Legislative Archives. 2006. Web. 8 Feb. 2012.
“The Franklin Institute.” Deborah Read Rodgers. 2011. Web. 8 Feb. 2012.
Thomas and Cowperthwait. The Life of Benjamin Franklin. Philadelphia. 1842. Print.