Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin, one of the most outstanding 18th-century American politicians, participated in the writing of the Declaration of Independence. He negotiated the treaty by which Great Britain recognised its former 13 colonies as a sovereign nation. Benjamin Franklin framed the US Constitution, secured financial and military aid from France during the American Revolution.

In Europe Benjamin Franklin was widely known in scientific circles for his reports of electrical experiments and theories. Franklin invented a stove, the lightning rod and bifocal eyeglasses. He helped to establish such institutions as a fire company, a library, an insurance company, an academy, and a hospital in America.

Franklin published newspapers and was involved in politics. In 1753 he became deputy postmaster general, in charge of mail in all the northern colonies.

In London before the House of Commons Franklin defended the right of the colonies to levy internal taxes by their own legislation. Between 1765 and 1775 Franklin published 126 newspaper articles. In March 1775, he left London. On his arrival in Philadelphia he was delegated to the Second Continental Congress. Franklin took part in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.

In September 1776, when Benjamin Franklin arrived in Paris, he became hero of France, symbol of freedom from the feudal past. His portrait was everywhere. At the age of 79 Franklin was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Franklin died at the age of 84. Philadelphia honoured him, and in France praise was given to the man who personified enlightenment and freedom. It was said that Franklin "snatched the lightning from the skies and the sceptre from tyrants".