Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1706 and enjoyed reading books. He had trouble finding work initially but his brother James allowed him to work at his newspaper shop. Franklin went on to make many important scientific discoveries and inventions, and played a key role in the American Revolution and gaining independence, though it was a difficult struggle. He is best known for proving that lightning is a form of electricity by flying a kite in a thunderstorm. Franklin died in 1790 in Philadelphia.