Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony, which was then part of the British Empire. He was the tenth son of a soap and candle maker, Josiah Franklin. Franklin’s formal education was limited, and he was largely self-taught. At the age of 12, he became an apprentice to his older brother, James, a printer, and learned the trade.

In 1729, Franklin started his own printing business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He published the Pennsylvania Gazette, a popular newspaper, and the Poor Richard’s Almanack, which became widely read and famous for its witty aphorisms. Franklin’s success as a printer and writer provided him financial stability and recognition.

Franklin had a keen interest in science. He conducted experiments on electricity and lightning, famously flying a kite during a thunderstorm to demonstrate the electrical nature of lightning. His experiments led to important discoveries about the nature of electricity, and he coined the terms “positive” and “negative” electric charge. Franklin’s experiments with electricity made him an international celebrity.

Franklin became involved in politics and public service. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly and later became a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. He played a crucial role in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Franklin also served in various diplomatic capacities, including as the American ambassador to France during the American Revolution, where he secured crucial support for the American cause.

In his later years, Franklin was involved in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and the establishment of the American Philosophical Society. He passed away on April 17, 1790, in Philadelphia at the age of 84.

Benjamin Franklin’s legacy is immense. He is remembered as a key figure in the American Enlightenment, a leading author and scientist of his time, and a Founding Father of the United States. His contributions to science, politics, and literature continue to be celebrated, and he remains an enduring symbol of American ingenuity and wisdom.