1. A few facts about a brilliant mind

3.  Ben Franklin

4.   Born: Sunday, January 17, 1706  Died: April 17, 1790  Was born in Boston  Was born a Puritan, but switched at age 15 to a “thorough Deist”  Worked as a printer for his brother’s newspaper the New England Courant  Published himself, secretly, at age 16 as Silence Dogood  Headed to Philadelphia, PA: found work as a printer Some Stats…

5.   Later traveled to London  1726: returns to Philadelphia with a better developed moral agenda  Believed that hard work and virtue were the keys to success  At age 22, in 1728 he was able to start his own print shop  1729: purchases The Pennsylvania Gazette  1732: Begins publishing Poor Richard’s Almanac  Continues with the printing career, establishes the first public library, and has countless other accomplishments in the literary field until the 1740s when he decides to pursue the sciences More Stats…

6.   Was successful as a scientist, and invented the following:  The lightning rod  Bifocals  The Franklin stove  Confirmed the laws of electricity  The glass armonica Ben as a scientist

7.   In 1757 his real career began in politics  He was a leading member for the Pennsylvania Assembly, and was sent to England to articulate the colony’s grievances to the crown  Eventually decided that a nation independent of British rule was necessary  Began composing his Autobiography in 1771  He was best known for his contributions to politics:  Drafted the Declaration of Independence  Helped to enlist support from the French in the Revolutionary War  Drafted the Constitution  Ambassador to England and then France Ben Franklin’s politics

8.   Made Benjamins before they were Benjamins  Like to air dry after a bath.  Developed even MORE inventions  Responsible, partially, for the establishment of America’s first hospital, fire department, and lending library  Rocked several pseudonyms  Was a travelin’ fool  Fancied the ladies – and they fancied him <3 10 of BF’s lesser-known feats of awesomeness