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Was Benjamin Franklin Even a President?
Benjamin Franklin, the founder of the United States, was a multi-talented man who was a statesman, inventor, author, publisher, diplomat, and founder of the U.S. Postal Service. His story is deeply rooted in American history, as his face features prominently on the $100 bill, an essential piece of money. His legacy is still celebrated today.
Benjamin Franklin was never the first President of the United States, as he was too old and sick to serve in office by the first presidential election. However, he was one of the “Founding Fathers” and played a crucial role in declaring independence from Britain and becoming a sovereign country. Understanding U.S. history is essential to understand his significant role in America’s history.
What Is Benjamin Franklin Famous For?
Benjamin Franklin, a prominent figure in founding the United States, was an author, publisher, inventor, and founder of numerous U.S. institutions. His exceptional achievements and unwavering ambition make him a renowned figure, whose contributions continue to influence modern institutions.
The man gained fame as the owner of a successful printer shop in Philadelphia, printing books, brochures, government pamphlets, and currency. He expanded the business throughout the colonies and retired at 42. He also owned and published the popular newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette, which published the first U.S. political cartoon.
After establishing successful printing and publishing businesses, he aimed to improve Philadelphia by establishing community organizations. He founded the first free public library in the US, Philadelphia’s first fire department, and the University of Pennsylvania, which is now the basis of the current library system.
Franklin played a crucial role in the creation of the postal service for the colonies, eventually becoming the first postmaster general of the United States, overseeing all post offices from Georgia to Massachusetts.
Early retirement allowed Franklin to focus on public service and pursue his interest in the sciences. He became interested in electricity in the 1740s and proved that lightning is electricity through his kite experiment. On June 10, 1752, Franklin flew a kite with a conductive wire attached near a thunderstorm cloud, collecting electricity in a Leyden jar. This led to the invention of the lightning rod, which protected buildings from fire during storms. Franklin also coined terms like battery, conductor, and charge. His last notable invention was bifocals, dual-purpose glasses that allowed people to read and see at a distance. Bifocals are still used today and make it easier for people to read and see far away.
Did Ben Franklin Have a Family?
Franklin had a common-law marriage with Deborah Read Rogers, whose first husband abandoned her. They had two children, one of whom died of smallpox at four. Franklin had another child, William, raised with Deborah, and had eight grandchildren.
Was Benjamin Franklin for or Against Slavery? Did He Own Enslaved People?
Franklin owned seven to nine enslaved people in his life, with paid advertisements in his newspaper and allowing people to sell them inside his store. Later, he became an outspoken abolitionist and opened a school for enslaved Black people in Philadelphia. However, he didn’t intervene during the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
Which once were presidents? Are Considered to Be Founding Fathers?
“Founding Fathers of the United States” lists seven men as founding fathers: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. All but Franklin and Jay served as President. However, some historians believe many other individuals, including women, played formative roles in founding the United States.
If Ben Franklin Wasn’t President, Why Is He on the One-Hundred-Dollar Bill?
Benjamin Franklin is a celebrated American figure who played a significant role in establishing the United States. He and Alexander Hamilton, who is on the $100 bill, are the only two people on U.S. currency who did not serve as President. Hamilton, the first secretary of the treasury during George Washington’s term, is credited with founding the U.S. financial system.
Some Food for Thought: Ben Franklin’s Daily Routine
The author researched Ben Franklin’s life and found that he had a rigid daily routine, waking up at 5 a.m. and setting daily intentions before going to work. He would ask himself, “What good shall I do this day?” every morning and evening, and reflect on what he had done today. This example of living life with the utmost intention is a prime example of his success.
Ben Franklin was never the President of the United States, and his term as President was never mentioned in any historical document. This information can be used to defend oneself when asked about his presidency at a trivia night, ensuring accuracy and pride.
Where Was Benjamin Franklin From?
Ben Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger. His father was an English soap and candle maker, and he had 17 children, with 10 with Abiah, who was from Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Franklin, only formally educated at ten, apprenticed for his older brother’s printing shop. This apprenticeship taught him everything about the printing business. After a disagreement with his brother, he left Boston for Philadelphia, where he eventually started his print shop.
Was Benjamin Franklin for or Against Slavery? Did He Own Enslaved People?
Franklin owned seven to nine enslaved people in his life, with paid advertisements in his newspaper and allowing people to sell them inside his store. Later, he became an outspoken abolitionist and opened a school for enslaved Black people in Philadelphia. However, he didn’t intervene during the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
How Did Ben Franklin Die?
On April 17, 1790, Franklin died from a pleuritic attack at the age of 84 due to a viral infection. He was obese and had multiple health problems that worsened with age. Franklin was in poor health during the signing of the U.S. Constitution and was not seen in public until his death. He died just one year after George Washington was inaugurated as the first U.S. President, preventing him from serving as President of the United States.
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