In Philadelphia Franklin became involved in journalism and soon created the Pennsylvania Gazette which became the most succesful newspaper in the Colonies. Franklin also experimented in science and helped clean and light the city. He founded the American Philosophical Society, which was the first American circulating library. Franklin also founded an academy that soon developed into the University of Pennsylvania. Franklin wrote "Poor Richards Almanac" from 1733 to 1758 and it became one of Franklins most read essays. People loved it because of it's wry sense of humor and humility. In 1743, Franklin invented the heat-efficent stove and he retired from printing in 1748 to focus on his facination with electricity.
Franklin's experiments soon gained world fame and he proved the identiy of lighting s a form of electricity. In his most famous experiment, Franklin set up a tall rod and waited for a storm cloud. The lighting hit the rod and proved that lighting was a form of electricity. He was soon recognized in high esteemed institutes in England and France.
In 1757, Franklin was sent to England to represent the Colonies in the quarrel against the decendants of William Penn. His trip lasted till 1775 and upon his return, he stunned friends and relatives by advocating independance. He helped Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independance and served on the Continental Congress. In 1776, Franklin became an ambassador to France and was a pivitol figure in persuading them to be on America's side during the war. In the last years of his life, Franklin played an active role in the compromises formed at the Constitutional Convention. His last public act was a reading to Congress, advocating the abolition of slavery which he signed right before his death in 1790. In all his contributions to America, Ben Franklin was truly a Founding Father.
--Sasha Papernik 2000, at Noble and Greenough School
--history teacher: Michael Denning
--sources: The Reader's Companion to American History
--a few tips from Mr. Ward and Mr. Guerra from Roxbury-Latin
