Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He facilitated many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department and a university. Regarding the Declaration, he was temporarily disabled by gout and unable to attend most meetings of the Committee of Five that was responsible for the drafting, but he made several "small but important" changes to the draft sent to him by Thomas Jefferson.
Benjamin Franklin established a common-law marriage with Deborah Read on September 1, 1730, and besides taking in Franklin's young, recently acknowledged illegitimate son, William (b. 1731, d. 1813), together they had two children. The first, Francis Folger Franklin, born October 1732, died of smallpox in 1736. Their second child, Sarah Franklin, was born in 1743 and died in 1808. Hope this helps.
George Washington, as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, played a vital role in leading the fight for independence and later became the first President of the United States. Thomas Jefferson, with his role in writing the Declaration of Independence and his influence in shaping the nation's early government, was also pivotal in the birth of our nation.
Yes, he did. Remember, that time is money. He that can earn ten shillings a day by his labor, and goes abroad, or sits idle, one half of that day, though he spends but six pence during his diversion or idleness, ought not to reckon that the only expense; he has really spent, or rather thrown away, five shillings besides. - Benjamin Franklin (1748)
He wanted Britain to treat the Colonies more fair.
He was the third President of the United States. He was Vice President under John Adams. He was an ambassador to France when France was the only major country to join America as an ally. He also was a farmer and took science as a hobby.
Benjamin Franklin - the most respected American of that time - helped frame the Declaration of Independence. He was one of the five members of The Committee to produce a Declaration. (The other members were John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston.) Some scholars believe that Franklin was asked to write the Declaration and that he turned it down. Why? Because his "writing was not to be edited."Franklin was the most outspoken of the anti-slavery delegates and he would have included that clause in the Declaration. Franklin and Adams chose Jefferson to write the Declaration. Besides being an excellent writer, Jefferson was a slave owner from Virginia and this was politically important! If slavery was to be abolished in July of 1776, it would have to be proposed by a Southerner. When Jefferson finished his 1st draft of the Declaration, he immediately took it to Franklin who edited it! The clause of abolishing slavery went to Congress, but the Southern colonies/states would have no part of it and it was deleted from the signed Declaration. Franklin reminded Adams and other Northern anti-slavery delegates that the issue at hand was independence from Britain - not abolishing slavery. The issue of slavery could be brought up later. (And was it ever!) Franklin also gained the support of the French monarchy in the way of French troops and money that was instrumental in the American defeat of the British. How ironic that Franklin's influence of seeking "equal rights for all men" would be the later rallying cry for the French Revolution and the death knell for the French king and queen. - Brad Watson 5/28/09 11:01 MiamiWorldPerc@netzero.com
The White House did not exist in Franklin's time. When Franklin died in 1790, the seat of the national government was still in Philadelphia. Besides that, Franklin was never president.
the VA statute for religious freedom.
Franklin along with Adams, Jefferson, Sherman, and Livingston were assigned to the committee to draft a declaration justifying the decision for independence. Franklin had little to do with the first draft which was left to Jefferson ( Adams stated that Jefferson could "write ten times better than I.") partly because Jefferson was a Virginian and because none of the committee appreciated what an important document it would become. Franklin was also happy to leave the task to another. He stated " I am just recovering from a severe fit of gout, which has kept me from Congress and company almost ever since you left us." Besides gout Franklin suffered from rashes, boils, and related lesions. Jefferson sat down to write and would send a message to Franklin " Will Doctor Franklin be so good to peruse it and suggest such alterations as his more enlarged view of the subject will dictate?" He treated Jefferson's writing gently and suggested changes, but Congress was more harsh.
health, wealth, and happiness is the American Dream
Franklin along with Adams, Jefferson, Sherman, and Livingston were assigned to the committee to draft a declaration justifying the decision for independence. Franklin had little to do with the first draft which was left to Jefferson ( Adams stated that Jefferson could "write ten times better than I.") partly because Jefferson was a Virginian and because none of the committee appreciated what an important document it would become. Franklin was also happy to leave the task to another. He stated " I am just recovering from a severe fit of gout, which has kept me from Congress and company almost ever since you left us." Besides gout Franklin suffered from rashes, boils, and related lesions. Jefferson sat down to write and would send a message to Franklin " Will Doctor Franklin be so good to peruse it and suggest such alterations as his more enlarged view of the subject will dictate?" He treated Jefferson's writing gently and suggested changes, but Congress was more harsh.
Benjamin Franklin established a common-law marriage with Deborah Read on September 1, 1730, and besides taking in Franklin's young, recently acknowledged illegitimate son, William (b. 1731, d. 1813), together they had two children. The first, Francis Folger Franklin, born October 1732, died of smallpox in 1736. Their second child, Sarah Franklin, was born in 1743 and died in 1808. Hope this helps.
George Washington, as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, played a vital role in leading the fight for independence and later became the first President of the United States. Thomas Jefferson, with his role in writing the Declaration of Independence and his influence in shaping the nation's early government, was also pivotal in the birth of our nation.
Yes, he did. Remember, that time is money. He that can earn ten shillings a day by his labor, and goes abroad, or sits idle, one half of that day, though he spends but six pence during his diversion or idleness, ought not to reckon that the only expense; he has really spent, or rather thrown away, five shillings besides. - Benjamin Franklin (1748)
He wanted Britain to treat the Colonies more fair.
Besides the Liberty Bell, the four acre Independence National Historical Park includes:Graff House.Carpenter's Hall.Independence Square.Libraries and a portrait gallery.City Tavern.Benjamin Franklin's Home, and awide variety of artifacts.
He was the third President of the United States. He was Vice President under John Adams. He was an ambassador to France when France was the only major country to join America as an ally. He also was a farmer and took science as a hobby.