Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) was an American polymath who played a key role in the founding of the United States. Born in Boston, he was a printer, writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, and diplomat. Franklin's many accomplishments include his experiments with electricity, which led to the invention of the lightning rod, as well as the bifocal glasses and the Franklin stove. Politically, Franklin was a leading figure in the American Enlightenment and helped draft both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. As a diplomat, he secured French support during the American Revolution, which was crucial to the colonial victory. He also founded numerous civic organizations, including the first public lending library in America and the University of Pennsylvania.