One of the most important people in American history, Benjamin Franklin, was a multifaceted individual who contributed to philosophy, politics, science, and diplomacy. Because of his accomplishments, he played a significant role in the American Revolution and the early history of the United States. This biography includes Franklin’s age, wealth, scientific discoveries, diplomatic endeavors, political career, and family life.
| Full Name : | Benjamin Franklin |
| Born : | January 17, 1706, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died : | April 17, 1790, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Net Worth (at Death) : | Estimated at $100,000 (equivalent to $3-4 million today) |
| Notable Inventions: | Franklin stove, bifocal glasses, lightning rod |
Age and Early Life
On January 17, 1706, Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Franklin had difficulties at a young age since he was one of 17 children in a humble Puritan household. His mother, Abiah Folger, was his second wife, and his father, Josiah Franklin, was a candlemaker. At the age of ten, Franklin had to leave Boston Latin School to work and support his family. He started his career as an apprentice to his brother James, a printer when he was twelve years old.
Franklin lived to reach 84 years old before dying in Philadelphia on April 17, 1790, leaving behind a legacy that lasted for over a century.
Benjamin Franklin’s Net Worth
Even though it’s hard to pinpoint exactly, Benjamin Franklin was wealthy by the standards of his day. Franklin is said to have had a net worth of about $100,000 at the time of his death, which, when adjusted for inflation, would be about $3 million to $4 million in modern currency.
| Net Worth : | $100,000 |
Benjamin Franklin’s Scientific Research
For his time, Benjamin Franklin’s scientific contributions were revolutionary, and he is now famous for them. He was interested in everything from meteorology to electricity, and he is recognized for having influenced the development of several scientific disciplines.
- Electricity
In 1752, Franklin conducted his most well-known scientific experiment, flying a kite during a rainstorm to demonstrate that lightning was a type of electricity. Franklin created the lightning rod, which shielded structures from lightning strikes, as a result of this experiment, transformed our knowledge of electricity.
.Franklin also created several electrical words that are still in use today, including positive, negative, and battery. He gained international recognition for his contributions to electricity, which also served as a basis for subsequent discoveries.
- The Stove in Franklin
Franklin created the Franklin stove, a more effective heating appliance that used less fuel to provide more heat. The design was quickly embraced in the colonies and represented a significant breakthrough in home heating technology. - Bifocal lenses
In order to aid those who are nearsighted or farsighted, Franklin is credited for creating bifocal spectacles. His dual-lens design eliminated the need to switch between two pairs of glasses, enabling wearers to see properly at varying distances. - Meteorology and Oceanography
Sailors’ navigation was greatly enhanced by Franklin’s observations on the Gulf Stream. In order to enhance long-distance maritime navigation, he also contributed to the research of weather patterns and ocean currents.
Benjamin Franklin’s Diplomacy
During the American Revolution, Franklin was a vital diplomat who helped the colonies gain international backing. The United States was formed in large part because to his diplomatic abilities.
- French ambassador
Franklin’s appointment as the American ambassador to France in 1776 was his most notable diplomatic accomplishment. Franklin successfully secured France’s support for the American Revolution and was a well-liked figure in French society due to his charm, humor, and diplomatic skills.
Franklin had a major role in the 1778 Treaty of Alliance between France and the United States. The American victory in the Revolution was greatly aided by this alliance, which gave the American colonies vital financial and military support.
- The 1783 Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris, which acknowledged American sovereignty and formally put an end to the Revolutionary War, was negotiated in 1783 by Franklin and other American delegates. Through his diplomatic efforts, Franklin was able to secure advantageous conditions for the young country, including the purchase of a sizable amount of territory.
Benjamin Franklin’s Political Career
Like his scientific pursuits, Franklin had a long political career. Both the colonial and early national governments relied heavily on him.
- Early Career in Politics
In the 1730s, Franklin was active in colonial politics and promoted colonial unification. Prior to becoming the postmaster general of the colonies, he was a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly. Franklin made a substantial contribution to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and served as Pennsylvania’s representative in the Second Continental Congress.
- The Convention on Constitutionalism
Franklin was among the Founding Fathers who traveled to Philadelphia in 1787 to attend the Constitutional Convention. He was the oldest delegate, at eighty-one, and his knowledge and insight aided in directing the discussions. Franklin was instrumental in promoting compromise, and his support for the US Constitution contributed to its approval.
- Views on Abolition
Franklin later turned into a supporter of the abolition of slavery. He advocated for the gradual abolition of slavery in Pennsylvania and was a member of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society.
Benjamin Franklin’s Family Life
Franklin had both success and adversity in his personal life. Even though he occasionally had tense ties with his family, they were a significant part of his life.
- Deborah Read Franklin is the wife.
Following an extensive relationship, Franklin wed Deborah Read in 1730. While Franklin traveled overseas for many years for diplomatic and scientific reasons, Deborah stayed behind to run their family and company. The two of them had two children together. Unfortunately, Deborah died in 1774, right before Franklin returned from France.
- Offspring: William Franklin: Born in 1730, William was Franklin’s sole biological son. A split developed between him and his father as a result of his loyalty to Britain throughout the Revolution and his appointment as the Royal Governor of New Jersey. William was imprisoned following the war and later relocated to England.
Francis Franklin: Franklin and his wife were profoundly impacted when their second son, Francis, passed away from smallpox in 1736 at the early age of 4. - Grandchildren: During the Revolution, one of Franklin’s granddaughters, Sarah Franklin Bache, organized activities and helped collect money for the Continental Army.
