Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Quotation

Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade?

Books

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Research

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Biographical

Benjamin Franklin was one of the leaders of the American Revolution. Born January 17, 1706, he grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, before moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Franklin was a writer, inventor, printer, and ambassador. He was a member of the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Franklin also founded the University of Pennsylvania. He was the author and publisher of Poor Richards Almanac, where he coined such maxims as "A penny saved is a penny earned" (a penny bought significantly more at the time than it does now). He wrote his autobiography between 1771 and 1788, at first addressed to his son, then later completed for the benefit of mankind at the request of a friend. Franklin is famous for his experiments with electricity, including his discovery, by the extremely dangerous experiment of flying a kite during a lightning storm, that lightning was similar in nature (though vastly more powerful) to sparks of static electricity. His inventions include the Franklin stove and bifocals. He was involved in the creation of the first volunteer fire department, free public library, and many other civic enterprises. During and after the revolution, Franklin served as ambassador to France and was hugely popular with his hosts. In fact he was so popular, that it became fashionable for wealthy French families to decorate the parlor with a painting of him.

At his death bequeathed £1000 (about $4400, at the time) each to the cities of Boston and Philadelphia, in trust for 200 years. During the lifetime of the trust, Philadelphia used it for a variety of loan programs to local residents; from 1940 to 1990, the money was used mostly for mortgage loans. When the trust came due, Philadelphia decided to spend it on scholarships for local high school students. Boston used the gift to establish a trade school that, over time, became the Franklin Institute of Boston. His likeness adorns the American $100 bill. As a result, $100 bills are sometimes referred to in slang as "Benjamins" or "Franklins". [This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License and uses material adapted in whole or in part from the Wikipedia article on Benjamin Franklin.]

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