Benjamin Franklin, a scientist, philosopher, author, and the most famous American on both sides of the Atlantic during the Revolutionary Era, was born on this day in history, January 17, 1706.
Today, 17 Milk Street in downtown Boston features a bust of the founding father and the words “Franklin's Birthplace.”
In his 2000 Pulitzer Prize-winning History, Joseph Ellis wrote, “What if a 20th century photographer had acquired a time machine and brought it back to record historical scenes from the revolutionary era?'' If he had, Franklin would have been in almost every photo.” “Founding Brothers.”
On this day in history, January 16, 1919, Prohibition was ratified and alcohol was banned in the United States.
Ellis listed the significant events in the creation of America that were forged by Franklin.
“He was in Philadelphia during the signing of the Declaration of Independence with the Continental Congress, in Paris to draft a wartime treaty with France, and then almost single-handedly (assisted John Adams) in concluding a peace treaty with Great Britain and drafting the Constitution. Back in Philadelphia for the convention and the signing of the Constitution.”
Late 18th century illustration of American politician and scientist Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) reading at a table. (Stock Montage/Getty Images)
Franklin came from humble beginnings, the 15th of 17 children fathered by Josiah Franklin, a candle maker, through two marriages.
Old Man Franklin was born in Northamptonshire, England, in 1657 and arrived in the colonies in 1682.
He had 10 children with Franklin's mother, Abia Folger, who lived on Nantucket Island.
Franklin came from humble beginnings, the 15th of 17 children fathered by Josiah Franklin, a candle maker, through two marriages.
Franklin was an early believer in the colonists' ability to overcome the circumstances of their birth, a striking difference between America and the rest of the world at the time, as many scholars have pointed out. provides evidence.
Although he was born in Boston, he achieved fame in Philadelphia, where he arrived on October 6, 1723, at the age of 17.
On this day in history, July 26, 1775, the United States Postal System was founded under Ben Franklin
“In 1729 he founded the Pennsylvania Gazette, which became the colony's leading newspaper. His Poor Richard Almanac became the most useful yearbook in the entire colony.” Philadelphia Tourism Convention The station writes about the city's most famous foster child.
“In the 1730s, Franklin founded the first volunteer fire department and became postmaster of Philadelphia. He also founded America's first hospital while seeking to unravel the mysteries of the earth through scientific discoveries.”
Franklin before the Council of Lords, Whitehall Chapel, London, 1774, by C. Schussle. Engraved by Whitechurch. The date is 1859. In 1774, Benjamin Franklin stands before the Lords of the Council in his chapel in Whitehall, London, and expresses the concerns of the American colonists. (Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Franklin's scientific research made him a celebrity in British society. This is a mark of international recognition unknown to other Americans of his 18th century.
In 2016, Smithsonian Magazine wrote about Franklin's life in London that his groundbreaking discoveries in the field of electricity earned him the Copley Prize of 1753 (the 18th century equivalent of the Nobel Prize) and a Fellowship of the Royal Society. ” he wrote.
Franklin was “embraced by an English aristocracy fascinated by science.” — Smithsonian Magazine
“It also changed his social status. He was famous. The poor tallow Chandler's son was embraced by the British aristocracy.” fascinated by science And I'm particularly interested in the sound of electricity sizzling. ”
He was by far the oldest politician among the Founding Fathers. Franklin was 70 years old when he signed the Declaration of Independence.
On July 4, 1776, John Adams, John Hancock, and Thomas Jefferson were 40, 39, and 33 years old, respectively.
On this day in history, November 14, 1776, the British press announced the name of famous Londoner Ben Franklin as the leader of the rebellion.
Each signer of the Declaration of Independence pledged “life, fortune, and sacred honor” to the cause of the new nation, knowing that they might be executed for treason.
But Franklin was special among these heroes.
He spent most of his life in London, visiting for the first time at just 18 years old and returning to Philadelphia two years later.
A bust commemorating the birthplace of Benjamin Franklin at 17 Milk Street in Boston, Massachusetts, photographed on July 18, 1985. (David L. Ryan/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Smithsonian magazine described Franklin as a “loyal British Royalist” and “one-fifth revolutionary, four-fifths London intellectual.”
Franklin became at odds with British leadership over the treatment of the American colonies.
Franklin chose love for his country over the admiration of British society, patriotism over fame and comfort.
He could have chosen a life of leisure and celebrity among the British aristocracy. But he put all that aside.
Franklin chose love for his country over the admiration of British society, patriotism over fame and comfort.
Currier and Ives lithograph depicting Benjamin Franklin and his son William using a kite and key to prove that lightning is electricity during a June 1752 storm. Franklin gained fame in London's scientific community for his research in electricity. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Franklin last left England for Philadelphia on March 20, 1775, just four weeks before transatlantic disagreements led to war at Lexington and Concord.
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His birthplace was across the street from the Old South Meeting House, a National Historic Landmark built in 1729 and on December 16, 1773, a debate erupted in protest against British taxes.
“His clothes were plain and clean. He and others say he was hesitant with his words, but his actions were swift.”
Angry Boston residents marched to the water's edge to throw chests of tea into the harbor in what soon became known as the Boston Tea Party.
History remembers Franklin as the pudgy, bespectacled old man of the Founding Fathers.
It is not a complete picture of a man for all age groups.
This Georgian terraced house at 36 Craven Street, near Trafalgar Square, was the 'elegant boarding house' of American statesman Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) from 1757 to 1775. It is the only remaining Franklin mansion in the world. (SSPL/Getty Images)
In his 1938 biography Benjamin Franklin, Carl Van Doren wrote, “Although his early appearance certainly does not survive, his appearance upon his return to Philadelphia is well known in later portraits and One might imagine the contrary from various incidental notes regarding his personal appearance. This work won him the Pulitzer Prize.
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“He was well-built, round like a swimmer or wrestler, not square like a runner. He was 5 feet 9 or 10 inches tall, with a large head and square, deft hands. “He was blond or light brown, with gray eyes. He was full and steady, and his mouth was wide and humorous, with a pointed upper lip,” Van Doren also wrote.
“His clothes were plain and clean. He and others say he was hesitant with his words, but his actions were swift.”
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