Benjamin Franklin ( January 17, 1706 – April

Benjamin Franklin ( January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790 )

philosopher scientist inventor printer musician economist statesman

Benjamin Franklin was born on Milk Street, in Boston, Massachusetts; his father wanted Ben to attend school with the clergy, but only had enough money to send him to school for two years; he attended Boston Latin School but did not graduate; he continued his education through voracious reading; his parents talked of the church as a career for Franklin, his schooling ended when he was ten;

At 12 he became an apprentice to his brother James, a printer. During his apprenticeship, though, Franklin decided to expand his education to other topics rather than simply printing. During this time, Benjamin read many books including Pilgrims Progress, Parallel Lives, Essay on Projects, Essays to do Good, and Spectator. Franklin and his brother also published a newspaper

Benjamin Franklin - the only one of the founding fathers, who clinched his signature all three major historical documents underlying the formation of the United States as an independent nation: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution the Treaty of Versailles in 1783

As a political writer and activist he more than anyone else was the author of the idea of ​​the American nation. Being a diplomat during the American Revolution, he concluded an alliance with France, which helped protect independence.

Franklin was a prodigious inventor. Among his many creations were the lightning rod, glass armonica (a glass instrument, not to be confused with the metal harmonica), Franklin stove, bifocal glasses and the flexible urinary catheter.

Poor Richard's Almanack In 1733 he started publishing Poor Richard's Almanack. Almanacs of the era were printed annually, and contained things like weather reports, recipes, predictions and homilies. Franklin published his almanac under the guise of a man named Richard Saunders, a poor man who needed money to take care of his carping wife.

Statue of Franklin in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington

Benjamin Franklin The first US postage stamp, 1847

Franklin on the Series 1996 hundred dollar bill

Aphorisms by Benjamin Franklin Be civil to all, sociable to many, familiar with few. (Будь вежлив со всеми, общителен с многими, фамильярен с некоторыми) An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. (Инвестиции в знания всегда дают наибольшую прибыль) All would live long, but none would be old. (Все хотят жить долго, но никто не хочет быть старым) Wealth is not his that has it, but his who enjoys it. (Богатство принадлежит не тому, кто владеет им, а тому, кто получает от него удовольствия) A benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself to keep his friends in countenance. (Великодушный человек должен иметь несколько недостатков, чтобы не расстраивать своих друзей)

THE END by Caroline Shponko and Karina Mykyta 11-A