He was clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly (1736-1751), a member of the Assembly (1750-1764), and deputy postmaster for the Colonies (1753-1774), reorganising the postal service to make it efficient and profitable.įranklin was also involved in many public projects, including founding the American Philosophical Society, a subscription library and, in 1751, an academy which later became the University of Pennsylvania.įrom 1757 to 1774, Franklin lived mainly in London where he was the colonial representative for Pennsylvania, Georgia, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Franklin also became more active in politics. He demonstrated that lightning and electricity are identical with his famous kite experiment. His inventions included the Franklin stove and the lightning rod. He also wrote and published 'Poor Richard's Almanack', an astronomy journal.īy 1748, Franklin had made enough money to retire from business and concentrate on science and inventing. He bought the 'Pennsylvania Gazette', which he edited and which became one of the American colonies' major newspapers. After 18 months in London, Franklin settled in Philadelphia, establishing himself as a printer. Franklin and his brother quarrelled, and in 1723 Franklin ran away to Philadelphia. He was apprenticed to his brother, a printer, and began writing anonymously for his brother's newspaper. He attended school only briefly, and then helped his father, who was a candle and soap maker. © Franklin was a statesman, diplomat, writer, scientist and inventor, one of the most versatile and talented men in colonial America and a leading figure in the American struggle for independence.īenjamin Franklin was born in Boston on 17 January 1706.