Dominique Hughes
5th period
4/24/17
BENJIS
Benjamin Franklin
“Well done is better than well said”
Synopsis
Benjamin Franklin was born in January 17, 1706. He was a ambassador, scientist,
businessman, and a writer. Benjamin had a pivotal role in the American Revolution time period.
Early Life
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachuettes January 17, 1706. Franklin had 16
siblings, he was the 15th child on his father's side. His father's wishes were for him to become a
preacher so at the age of 8, he was sent to grammar school. He transferred to Mr. George
Brownell's school for writing and arithmetic. He ended up leaving to school to work in his
father’s candle shop.
He wanted to be a sailor when he got older, his father didn't allow it because his older
brother went to sea and never returned. Since reading was Franklin's favorite, his dad decided on
the trade of printing and sent him to his brother's printing shop to learn. He continued learning in
England and Philadelphia where he eventually set up his own printing business. He retired from
printing in 1747. He also served as postmaster of Philadelphia and co-deputy postmaster of
British North America. He became the first postmaster of general of the United States in 1775.
Accomplishments
Franklin made plenty of inventions and accomplishments in his lifetime. Some of them
include: swim fins, library chair, bifocals, the lightning rod, daylight saving time, and plenty
more. Ben’s eye sight grew worse as he got older. He enjoyed reading and didn’t like switching
between glasses to be able to see things closer and to see things that were farther away. So he
ended up cutting the lenses from both pairs of glasses in half and put the lenses in a single frame.
With him doing that, he invented bifocals.
He was very interested in electricity. Ben was determined to do the challenge which was
the popular theory, that he believed electricity was made by two opposite forces. He believed the
electricity could transfer from object to another. With him being able to prove the theory he
invented the lightning rod. This was one of the important invention Benjamin did. It was
important because it allowed the buildings to not be destroyed by the force of lightning.
In 1753, he was honored by 'Royals Society's Copley Medal for his work of electricity.
The same year he received degrees from Yale university and Harvard for his contribution to
society through his wonderful scientific inventions.
Benjamins contribution
Benjamin was one of the most popular and significant people in the world. When it
comes down to all the good things Benjamin accomplished, there's a lot to pick from. He isn't
only recognized as the founding father of the United States, but also his extraordinary mind.
With all his discoveries and inventions, he helped change the world we live in.
His lightning rod invention helped allow electric currents of lightning to travel safely. His
swim fins helped people swim through water. Which they were originally made from wood but
they now have more recent ones. The bifocal glasses he made were a great benefit for those who
needed help seeing. Benjamin also played an important role in American history as he was a
signer of the Declaration of Independence he's one of the people who shaped America. He's been
so good many scholars know him as "the only president of the United States who was never
president of the United States." Even though he didn't finish more than an elementary education,
there were barely any universities that didn’t congratulate him with an honorary degree for the
wonderful work he's done. Benjamin really did have a good impact on people's lives.
Fun Facts

When he was 17 he ran away to start his new life in Philadelphia.

Images of him are on money and stamps.

Franklin was able to speak five languages. English, French, Latin, Italian, and
Spanish.

During experiments he was doing he was almost killed twice.
References
7 Major Accomplishments of Ben Franklin | HRFnd. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://healthresearchfunding.org/7-major-accomplishments-of-ben-franklin/
Benjamin Franklin Biography - Childhood, Life Achievements & Timeline. (n.d.). Retrieved
from http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/benjamin-franklin-2986.php
Benjamin Franklin Biography | Biography Online. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.biographyonline.net/politicians/american/benjamin-franklin.html
Benjamin Franklin FAQ | The Franklin Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.fi.edu/benjamin-franklin/benjamin-franklin-faq
A Short Biography < Benjamin Franklin His Autobiography 1706-1757 < Biographies <
American History From Revolution To Reconstruction and beyond. (n.d.). Retrieved
from http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/biographies/benjamin-franklin/a-short-biography.php