Printer, diplomat, philosopher, author, scientist and statesman, Franklin was one of the greatest
figures of the revolutionary era. Almost entirely self-educated, Franklin typified Enlightenment
man. He traveled to London in 1724 for an apprenticeship in printing and returned to America
in 1726. He founded the first public library in 1731 in Philadelphia, published Poor Richard's
Almanack in 1732, performed his celebrated kite experiment with electicity in 1752 after a
number of years of scientific investigation in a number of areas. He was also deputy postmaster
of Philadelphia in 1737. Elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1750, he continued to serve
until 1764.
He was elected to the Second Continental Congress on his return to America in 1775 after 11
years in England. He was both one of the drafters and a signer of the Declaration of
Independence. In 1778 he was appointed the first minister to France. He was also among the
group chosen to conclude peace with Great Britain in 1781. He was a member of the
Constitutional Convention and a signer of that document. |
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