Benjamin Franklin: A Renaissance Man

Benjamin Franklin was what many might consider to be a renaissance man. Among his many inventions were the lightning rod, bifocals, odometer, the glass harmonica and the Franklin stove. But he also invented swim fins and proved with his kite experiment that lightning is electricity. Franklin did not secure patents for any of his inventions because he believed ideas should benefit everyone. With only two years of formal schooling, Franklin was essentially self-taught. He learned French, Italian, Latin, and Spanish as an adult.

Franklin was one of our country’s Founders. He helped negotiate the crucial Treaty of Alliance with France, without which the American Revolution likely would have failed. He spent many years in Europe – mostly England and France – trying to avoid war with England. But when war became inevitable, Franklin convinced France to support the colonies. French support was key to the war effort because of their navy and the leadership of Marquis de Lafayette with our troops. Lafayette was given the rank of Major General by George Washington at the age of 19. He commanded the Continental Army that forced the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown.

Franklin founded the first public lending library in America, created the first volunteer fire department in Philadelphia, and helped establish the University of Pennsylvania. His autobiography is one of the most widely read in American history though he never finished it.

Franklin is one of only six people to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He died in 1790 in Philadelphia at the age of 84.