Benjamin Franklin Quick Facts

Born January 17, 1706, Boston, Massachusetts

Attended Boston Latin School from 1714 to 1716

Began working life as a printer apprenticed to his brother from 1718 to 1723

Moved o Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1724

Bought the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1729

Began publishing Poor Richard's Almanac in 1733

Helped launch the American Philosophical Society in 1743

Conducted experiments and verified the nature of electricity during the 1750s

Credited with inventing the Franklin Stove, bifocal glasses and the lightning rod

Was instrumental in establishing a library, hospital, fire company and an insurance company in the City of Philadelphia

Moved to London and represented the interests of Pennsylvania, Georgia, New Jersey and Massachusetts before Parliament from 1757 to 1775

Elected to the Second Continental Congress and worked on a committee of five that helped to draft the Declaration of Independence

Signed Declaration of Independence in 1776

Served as the American Ambassador to France during the American Revolution and during the Confederation Era

Signed the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolution, in 1783

Served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and signed the U.S. Constitution

Died April 17, 1790, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Buried at Christ Church Burial Ground, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania