American statesman, printer, scientist, and writer, b. Boston. The only American of the colonial period to earn a European reputation as a natural philosopher, he is best remembered in the United States as a patriot and diplomat.

The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin

  1706      Born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17
  1718      Begins an apprenticeship in his brother James' printing shop in Boston
  1723      Age 17, leaves his family, running away to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  1724      Moves to London, continuing his training as a printer
  1726      Returns to Philadelphia
  1728      Opens his own Printing Office in Philadelphia
  1729      Becomes sole owner and publisher of the Pennsylvania Gazette
  1730      Marries Deborah Read Rogers
  1731      Birth of Ben's son William; Founds the first Circulating Library
  1732      Birth of Ben's son Francis
  1732-    Annually, publishes Poor Richard: An Almanack
  1758    
  1736      Death of Ben's young son Francis; Founds the Union Fire Company in Philadelphia
  1737      Appointed Postmaster of Philadelphia
  1742      Proposes the idea for the University of Pennsylvania
  1743      Birth of Ben's daughter Sarah, also known as "Sally"
  1745      Death of Ben's father, Josiah Franklin
  1747      First writings of electrical experimentation; organizes the first Militia
  1748      Sells printing office, retiring from business
  1751      His book Experiments and Observations on Electricity is published in London
  1752      In June, performs famous kite experiment; Death of Ben's mother, Abiah Folger Franklin;   Founds  first American fire insurance company
  1757-    Travels in London as representative of  the Pennsylvania Assembly
  1762      Returns to Philadelphia
  1764      Travels to London
  1767      Travels to France
  1769      Elected president of the American Philosophical Society
  1774      The Hutchinson Letters Affair damages Franklin's reputation; While in London, Ben receives word of his wife's death
  1775      Returns to Philadelphia; Elected to Continental Congress; Submits Articles of Confederation of United Colonies
  1776      Signs the Declaration of Independence; Presides at Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention;      Sails to France as American Commissioner
  1778      Negotiates and signs Treaty of Alliance with France
  1779      Appointed Minister to France
  1782      Negotiates, with John Adams and John Jay, the Treaty of Peace with Great Britain
  1783      While in Paris, watches the Montgolfier brothers become the first men to fly in a balloon
  1784      Negotiates treaties with Prussia and other European countries
  1785      Returns to Philadelphia
  1787      Elected president of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of  Slavery; Serves as delegate to the Constitutional Convention
  1790      At age 84, Benjamin Franklin dies in Philadelphia on April 17

Benjamin Franklin's Revolution

          Benjamin Franklin Resources

• Ben Franklin's Ghost Speaks to the 21st Century - A poem by Sara Teasdale. With links.
• Benjamin Franklin - A Documentary History, by J.A. Leo Lemay.
• Benjamin Franklin - Quotations.
• Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790) - Categorized site including biography, quotations and assessments as well as links to other sites, his works and bibliography.
• Benjamin Franklin: America's Original Entrepreneur - Biography of the statesman, educator, inventor, author, printer, scientist and American hero.
• Benjamin Franklin - From Virtualology - A biography of Benjamin Franklin, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, including a handwriting sample.
• Benjamin Franklin: A Man of Many Talents - Houghton-Mifflin Social Studies mini-course.
• Benjamin Franklin: An Enlightened American - A comprehensive look at his life, including a biography, quotations, anecdotes, facts and detailed descriptions of his inventions.
• Benjamin Franklin Campfire Forum - Forum devoted to discussing his life and works.
• Benjamin Franklin Discussion Port - Forum and live chat devoted to discussing his life, inventions and achievements.
• Benjamin Franklin: Glimpses of the Man - Timeline, family tree and sections on his career as scientist, inventor, statesman, printer, philosopher, musician and economist.
• Benjamin Franklin: Leader of America - Pictures, links, biography, timeline and information on his inventions.
• The Friends of Franklin, Inc. - An international membership association promoting his learning and spirit through historic tours, symposia, newsletters and other initiatives.
• Guide to Benjamin Franklin - At the Access Indiana Teaching and Learning Center (AITLC).
• Humorous Quotes of Benjamin Franklin - List of witticisms.
• The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin - Hypertexted timeline.
• The Pattern American on Benjamin Franklin - From a seven part essay by Brian W. Fairbanks that examines the profound impact he had in shaping the American character.
• Poor Richard's Website - Collection of his sayings.
• Quotations - Some of his recorded thoughts.
• References - Bibliography, with ratings of each source and indication of difficulty levels.
• Surfing the Net with Kids: Ben Franklin - Child-oriented site with sources rated and reviewed.
• The Wit and Humor - Examples of his amusing remarks and writings.
• Advice to a Young Tradesman - Short essay.
• The Autobiography of Ben Franklin - The complete online HTML text, extensively annotated, with references cross-linked to the Encyclopedia of the Self.
• The Autobiography of Ben Franklin - Etext at Project Gutenberg.
• Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - HTML etext.
• The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - Text divided by chapter, with other related writings.
• Benjamin Franklin Urges a Young Friend to Take an Older Mistress - His famous letter of 1745 remarking that all cats are gray in the dark.
• Benjamin Franklin - Extensive list of resources, especially online texts.
• Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography - Hypertext version divided by chapter.
• Early to Bed and Early to Rise - Discussion of Franklin's role in promoting the saying. From De Proverbio: An Electronic Journal of International Proverb Studies.
• How I Became a Printer in Philadelphia - HTML etext.
• Journal of a Voyage - Etext from the USA Project.
• A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of Paper Currency (1729) - Etext from the USA Project.