Benjamin Franklin

Date of Birth: January 17, 1706

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: April 17, 1790

Biography

Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, renowned for his extensive contributions as a statesman, diplomat, scientist, and author. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin’s versatile career spanned various fields, and he became a leading figure in the American Enlightenment. As a politician, he played a crucial role in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Franklin was also a prolific inventor, known for creating the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, and the Franklin stove. His diplomatic efforts in France were pivotal in securing French support during the American Revolutionary War. Franklin’s legacy endures in his writings, inventions, and contributions to the foundation of the United States.

5 Interesting Facts about Benjamin Franklin

1. Benjamin Franklin was the 15th of 17 children in his family.

2. He established the first public lending library in America in 1731.

3. Franklin was a self-taught polymath who excelled in multiple disciplines without formal education.

4. He founded the University of Pennsylvania, one of the Ivy League schools, in 1740.

5. Franklin was posthumously inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame for his contributions to the game.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Benjamin Franklin

1. “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

2. “Well done is better than well said.”

3. “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

4. “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

5. “We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the time of his death in 1790, Benjamin Franklin’s net worth was estimated to be approximately $200,000, which would be equivalent to millions of dollars today when adjusted for inflation.

Children

Benjamin Franklin had three children: 1. William Franklin (1731–1813) – Benjamin’s illegitimate son who later became the last Colonial Governor of New Jersey. 2. Francis Folger Franklin (1732–1736) – Franklin’s son with his wife Deborah Read, who tragically died of smallpox at the age of four. 3. Sarah Franklin Bache (1743–1808) – Also known as “Sally,” she assisted her father in his later years and was a prominent figure in Philadelphia society.