One of the leading figures of early American history, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a statesman, author, publisher, scientist, inventor and diplomat. Franklin was born the 10th son of the 17 children of a man who made soap and candles, one of the lowliest of the artisan crafts in Boston. Franklin had little formal education. He started a successful printing business in Philadelphia.

One of the foremost of the Founding Fathers, Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence and was one of its signers. He represented the United States in France during the American Revolution, and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. He made important contributions to science, especially in the understanding of electricity. He is remembered for the wit, wisdom, and the elegance of his writing.