Benjamin Franklin
Born 1706 · Age 319
American polymath: printer, publisher, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, Founding Father, and civic leader who helped found institutions such as the Library Company, the American Philosophical Society, the University of Pennsylvania, and who negotiated crucial treaties for the United States.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Boston, Province of Massachusetts Bay
Benjamin Franklin born on Milk Street, Boston; baptized at Old South Meeting House.
Apprenticed to brother James Franklin (printer)
Began apprenticeship in printing under his brother James; learned the printing trade.
Published 'Silence Dogood' letters
Wrote and published a series of letters under the pseudonym 'Silence Dogood' in his brother's newspaper, gaining local notoriety.
Ran away to Philadelphia
Left Boston and traveled to Philadelphia seeking new opportunities in printing.
Worked in London as journeyman printer
Worked in London (Smithfield area) as a typesetter/printer after being encouraged to travel by Governor Keith; later returned to Philly with Thomas Denham's help.
Returned to Philadelphia and worked for Thomas Denham
Employed by merchant Thomas Denham as clerk, shopkeeper, and bookkeeper after return from London.
Founded the Junto (debating club)
Formed the Junto—a club for discussion and self-improvement that seeded many Philadelphia civic projects.
Established a printing house with Hugh Meredith
Set up a printing partnership that preceded his ownership of the Pennsylvania Gazette.
Purchased The Pennsylvania Gazette
Became owner/publisher of The Pennsylvania Gazette, which became his main public platform.
Acknowledged illegitimate son William Franklin (born)
Publicly acknowledged and raised his son William, born February 22, 1730; mother's identity unknown.
Established common-law marriage to Deborah Read
Entered a common-law marriage with Deborah Read Rogers; they raised children together though Deborah never accompanied Franklin to Europe.
Founded the Library Company of Philadelphia (charter)
Composed charter and founded the subscription library that became Philadelphia's first major lending library.
Published first Poor Richard's Almanack (for 1733)
Began publishing Poor Richard's Almanack under pseudonym 'Richard Saunders'; it became widely popular and financially successful.
Published Die Philadelphische Zeitung (German-language paper)
Published the first German-language newspaper in America (failed after one year due to competition).
Son Francis Folger Franklin born
Francis Folger Franklin born (died in 1736 from smallpox).
Initiated into Freemasonry; became Grand Master in 1734
Joined the local Masonic lodge around 1730–31 and rose to Grand Master by 1734; published Masonic book in the Americas.
Founded Union Fire Company (volunteer fire brigade)
Created one of the first volunteer firefighting companies in America (Union Fire Company).
Death of son Francis (smallpox)
Francis Folger Franklin died in 1736 of smallpox, a loss that influenced Franklin's views on inoculation.
Clerk/Chief Clerk of Pennsylvania Assembly (began service)
Served as chief clerk of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly (official duties began Oct 14, 1736).
Appointed Postmaster of Philadelphia
Named postmaster of Philadelphia, a role he used to reform and improve mail service.
Invented the Franklin stove
Invented an improved metal-lined fireplace/heating stove (commonly called the Franklin stove).
Published The General Magazine and Historical Chronicle
Launched one of America's earliest magazines (failed after a few issues).
Proposed American Philosophical Society (founding document)
Published 'A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge' which led to founding the American Philosophical Society; society began meeting in 1744.
Daughter Sarah 'Sally' Franklin Bache born
Sarah (Sally) Franklin (later Bache) born; she would become active in civic efforts during and after Revolution.
Retired from active printing; partnered with David Hall
Formed a profit-sharing arrangement with foreman David Hall; described as 'already a very wealthy man' by this time.
Published 'Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania'
Pamphlet outlining his vision for an academy and practical education, which led to the Academy of Philadelphia.
Elected first president of the Academy (College) of Philadelphia
Appointed president of the Academy which opened in 1751 and later became the University of Pennsylvania.
Co-founded Pennsylvania Hospital with Thomas Bond (charter obtained)
Secured charter (1751) and helped found Pennsylvania Hospital—the first hospital in the colonies.
Academy and Charity School opened; published 'Experiments and Observations on Electricity'
The Academy (later University of Pennsylvania) opened; Franklin's electrical experiments were published in London, increasing his scientific reputation.
Kite experiment and electrical research; Copley Medal awarded
Conducted famous kite experiment demonstrating electrical nature of lightning and received the Royal Society's Copley Medal for his work.
Founded the Philadelphia Contributionship (homeowner's insurance)
Organized the first successful homeowner insurance company in the colonies to insure against fire loss.
Appointed joint Deputy Postmaster General of North America
Named deputy postmaster-general for the British colonies (responsible for postal service from Pennsylvania northwards).
Represented Pennsylvania at the Albany Congress; proposed Plan of Union
Led Pennsylvania delegation and proposed a Plan of Union for the colonies (early model for later federal union).
First commencement of the College of Philadelphia
College of Philadelphia (later part of Univ. of Pennsylvania) held its first commencement on May 17, 1757 (seven graduates).
Sent to London as colonial agent for Pennsylvania (first extended mission)
Served in London as agent for the Pennsylvania Assembly (1757–1762), defending colonial interests in Whitehall.
Received honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from University of St. Andrews
Honored by Scottish university for achievements in science and public life.
Colonial postal service became profitable
Postal efficiencies implemented earlier led the colonial post office to first turn a profit around 1761.
Invented the glass armonica
Invented and built a musical instrument made of rotating glass bowls producing ethereal tones.
Charted the Gulf Stream (1764–1765)
Mapped and named the Gulf Stream current, publishing observations that aided navigation.
Political defeat (context of 1764 election)
Political controversies and some published remarks (e.g., earlier pamphlet references) contributed to political losses around 1764.
Elected Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly
Led the Pennsylvania House (served as Speaker from May 26, 1764) during a politically fraught period.
Testified before the British House of Commons; helped repeal Stamp Act
As colonial agent in London, argued against the Stamp Act; his and others' efforts contributed to its repeal and increased his American reputation.
Associated with the Pennsylvania Chronicle (revolutionary paper)
Became associated with a newspaper critical of British policies, reflecting his growing alignment with colonial rights.
Named Colonial Agent for Georgia
Took on additional representation duties for colonies in London (appointed colonial agent).
Elected President of the American Philosophical Society
Served as president of the APS (he had been organizer and first secretary earlier); reflected his standing in scientific community.
Began writing his Autobiography
Started drafting his celebrated Autobiography (which he worked on intermittently over years).
Hutchinson Letters affair; criticized before Privy Council
Dressed down by London officials (Solicitor General Wedderburn) over leaked Hutchinson correspondence; escalated tensions with British authorities.
Death of Deborah Read Franklin (wife)
Deborah Franklin died while Benjamin was abroad; they had been in a common-law marriage since 1730.
Elected delegate to the Second Continental Congress (Pennsylvania)
Served as Pennsylvania delegate and as chairman of the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety.
Appointed first United States Postmaster General
Second Continental Congress established the U.S. Post Office and named Franklin the first Postmaster General under Congress.
Mission to Canada (March–May)
Participated in a diplomatic/inspectorial mission to Canada during the revolutionary period.
Served on Continental Congress committee drafting the Declaration of Independence
Was one of the committee members (the Committee of Five) that produced the Declaration; signed it as a delegate.
Arrived in Paris as American Commissioner to France
Traveled to France as a diplomatic commissioner to secure French support for the American cause (arrived Dec 21, 1776).
Secured French aid and became a diplomatic hero in France
Recognized and widely admired for negotiating French military and financial support that proved vital to American victory.
Signed treaties with France (Treaty of Alliance and Amity & Commerce)
Signed formal treaties with France (military alliance and commerce) securing crucial French support for the Revolution.
Appointed United States minister plenipotentiary in France
Officially appointed as the U.S. minister to France, leading diplomatic relations and securing financial/military aid.
Requested leave to return home
Asked Congress for permission to come home from his diplomatic post (March 1781).
Appointed to peace negotiation committee with Jay, Laurens, and Adams
Named by Congress to the committee charged with negotiating peace terms with Great Britain.
Invented bifocals (c. 1783–1784)
Credited with inventing bifocal lenses to correct both near and distance vision.
Signed the Treaty of Paris (peace with Britain)
Signed the treaty formally ending the Revolutionary War and recognizing U.S. independence.
Invented 'long arm' (book-retrieval tool)
Devised a device for retrieving books from high shelves (often called the 'long arm').
Left France
Departed France after long diplomatic service; preparations to return to the United States.
Arrived in Philadelphia
Returned to Philadelphia from Europe after decades of diplomatic/agent service abroad.
Elected President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania
Took office as head of Pennsylvania's executive government (served Oct 18, 1785 – Nov 5, 1788).
Elected President of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery
Became president of the Pennsylvania abolitionist society (served until his death in 1790).
Represented Pennsylvania at the Constitutional Convention (May–Sept)
Attended the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention; signed the Constitution in September 1787.
Wrote anti‑slavery treatise (late life)
Authored arguments against slavery and actively promoted abolition and integration of African Americans.
Signed antislavery petition to Congress
Signed a petition to the U.S. Congress as president of the Pennsylvania abolition society, urging abolition.
Died in Philadelphia
Passed away April 17, 1790; interred in Christ Church Burial Ground; funeral attended by thousands.
Key Achievement Ages
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