" A penny saved is a penny earned." "Little strokes fell great oakes." "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." "God helps them who help themselves." The inventor of the bifocals, lightning rod, and Franklin stove. I bet that gave away who this report is about. If you guessed Benjamin Franklin, then you're right!
Benjamin Franklin's Early Life
Ben Franklin was born on January 17, 1706. He lived in Boston Massachusetts. He had 9 brothers and 7 sisters and he was also the eighth child born. His father's name was Josiah and his mother's name was Abiah. Ben's father worked in and owned a candle and soap maker shop. In school, Ben loved to read and write, but did not do good in arithmatic, so his father then took him out of school to work in the candle and soap business that his father owned. Ben was not happy, so his father decided that Ben should join his brother's printing business. At twelve, Ben became an apprentice ot his brothers printing business. Ben also liked to write. But no one was interested in what a little boy had to say, so he wrote secretly using the name "Silence dogood" and slipped his stories under the door of his brothers printing shop. Hos brother published the stories and everybody loved them. When Ben's brother James found out who the "Silence Dogood" was, he was very angry with Ben and their relationship was never the same.
Ben taught himself basic swimming strokes by reading a swimming book. He built himself wooden swimming paddles to help him swim faster. He used a kite in the breeze to pull him in the water to make it easier to swim. Ben also later read a vegetarian book and became one because it was healthier and cheaper.
Benjamin Franklin's Middle Life
At the age of 18, Ben was promised a free trip to England and back if he would buy supplies from England for his printing business but the govenor did not send the money to pay for the trip. Ben was stranded in England. While in England, Ben made the best of the situation. He worked for a printing company and learned a lot about the business. He also met famous scientists and authors. In 1726 at age 22, he returned to Philadelphia. He worked a short while for a printer, but in 1728, he went into the printing business for himself. The next year, he began to publish a newspaper called "The Pennsylvania Gazette". He was the paper's editor, printer and reporter. He drew one of the first cartoons to appear in American newspaper. "The Gazette" was also one of the first to have a map with an article. He also included jokes and riddles in this newspaper. When there was not much to report about, he made up stories and signed them with fake names.
Benjamin Franklin's Later Life
In 1785 and the next two years, he was executive council fo Pennsylvania. In 1787, Pennsylvania sent him to the Constitutional Convention. Delegates met in Independence Hall and drafted the Constitution of the United States, but age and illness kept Franklin from taking an active part. His wisdom and guidance helped keep The Convention from breaking into failure.
Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate at The Convention. He also helped the Convention settle the bitter dispute between large and small states over representation in Congress. He did this by supporting the so-called "Great Compromise". Franklin's attendance at the Constitutional Convention was his last major public service. Ben Franklin died in the night of April 17, 1790 at the age of 84. About 20,000 people came to honor him at his funeral. He was buried in the cemetery of Christ Church in Philadelphia next to his wife who died in 1774. In his will he left $5,000 to Boston and Philadelphia to be used for public works. Some of the money was used for the Franklin Technical Institute and the Franklin Institute Scientific Museum in Philadelphia.
Benjamin Franklin's Mark in History
Benjamin Franklin's face appears on postage stamps, coins and paper money in the United States. Philadelphia has also revered the memory of him. The University of Pennsylvania named it's athletic field after him. One of the show places of the city is the spacious Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Midway along the parkway stands the Franklin Institute, which contains the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. Benjamin Franklin is remembered today for his scientific inventions and great contributions to our Nation.
