Over the course of his life, Benjamin Franklin (1706- 1790) underwent a tremendous transformation, from a poorly educated boy who ran away from his family, to a world-acclaimed statesman, inventor, scientist and diplomat who was received as a guest by at least five kings. Born to Josiah and Abiah Franklin; he was one of seventeen children. Due to his father’s money troubles, Benjamin’s education was cut off after only two years of formal schooling. Even so, he was able to cultivate his own intellect through an avid passion for reading. By 1718, Benjamin Franklin (a boy of 12) was sent to his brother, James, to become a printer’s apprentice. Yet, by 1723, the seventeen-year-old Benjamin could no longer suffer his brother’s abuses and he decided to flee to Philadelphia, which would become his lifelong home. He built a personal fortune through his printing business and other enterprises, but by the 1750s, Franklin divided his time between carrying out scientific experiments and representing the colonies in London. Politically, Franklin was a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly, and later, the Second Continental Congress. He also aided in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Benjamin Franklin died in 1790 and around 20,000 people attended his funeral.
The intro music was written and performed by C. Keith Hansley for this channel.
The classy flute song in the background of the video is Boismortier Concerto for Five Flutes No. 4, Allegro, by the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.
Check out individual Benjamin Franklin quote pictures, HERE.
Glance through some short articles about Franklin from our "Did You Know?" section, HERE.
Read a brief biography about Benjamin Franklin, HERE.
