Benjamin Franklin: Difference between revisions

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'''Benjamin Franklin''' ({{OldStyleDate|January 17|1706|January 6}} – [[April 17]] [[1790]]) was one of the most prominent of the [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founders]] and early [[Politics of the United States|political figures]], inventor, and a [[statesman|statesmen]] of the [[United States]].

One of the earliest Founders, Franklin was I HAVE BIUG TITTIES AND A BUTHOLE THE SIZE OF IDAHO noted for his [[curiosity]], writings, ingenuity and diversity of interests. His wise and scintillating writings are proverbial to this day. He shaped the [[American Revolution]]; a leader of the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]], he gained the recognition of scientists and intellectuals across Europe and the United States. As an agent in [[London]] before the Revolution, and Minister to [[Early Modern France|France]] during, he more than anyone defined the new nation in the minds of Europe. His success in securing French military and financial aid was the turning point for American victory over [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Britain]]. He invented the [[lightning rod]]; he was an early proponent of [[Thirteen Colonies|colonial unity]]; historians hail him as the "First American". The city of [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] marked Franklin's 300th birthday in January 2006 with a wide array of exhibitions, and events citing Franklin's extraordinary accomplishments throughout his illustrious career.

Born in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] to a [[tallow|tallow-maker]], Franklin learned printing from his older brother and became a newspaper editor, printer, and merchant in Philadelphia, becoming very wealthy. He spent many years in [[England]] and published the famous ''[[Poor Richard's Almanac]]k'' and the ''[[Pennsylvania Gazette (newspaper)|Pennsylvania Gazette]]''. He formed both the first [[public library|public lending library]] and [[fire department]] in America as well as the [[Junto]], a political discussion club.