Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Biographies
Archiving Early America - A year after Benjamin Franklin's death his autobiography entitled "Memoires De La Vie Privee...," was published in Paris in March of 1791. The first English translation, "The Private Life of the Late Benjamin Franklin, LL.D....
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - In his own words, Franklin's life as a printer, inventor, scientist, and politician, with an introduction, a timeline and related links.
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library
Benjamin Franklin - "I cannot but lament . . . the impending Calamities Britain and her Colonies are about to suffer, from great Imprudencies on both Sides -- Passion governs, and she never governs wisely -- Anxiety begins to disturb my Rest . . . Benjamin Franklin -- Feb. 5, 1775
Benjamin Franklin: A Documentary History - - J.A. Leo Lemay - I began compiling Benjamin Franklin: A Documentary History as a source for a biography of Franklin. I gradually came to think that it had scholarly value of its own, though I still intend it to be the basic documentation for the biography.
Benjamin Franklin: An Enlightened American - What Makes a leader? intelligence, passion, strength, devotion, charisma, tenacity, perseverance, generosity, forgiveness...Franklin possessed all of these qualities and that is why he is considered to be one of the greatest American minds and a proud pillar of our national heritage.
Benjamin Franklin: First American Diplomat - Benjamin Franklin, the most distinguished scientific and literary American of his age, was the first American diplomat. He served Benjamin Franklin Picturefrom 1776 to 1778 on a three-man commission to France charged with the critical task of gaining French support for American independence. French aristocrats and intellectuals embraced Franklin as the personification of the New World Enlightenment
Benjamin Franklin l PBS - He was one of the most extraordinary human beings the world has ever known. Born into the family of a Boston candle maker, Benjamin Franklin became the most famous American of his time. He helped found a new nation and defined the American character. Writer, inventor, diplomat, businessman, musician, scientist, humorist, civic leader, international celebrity . . . genius. Explore the life of a remarkable man.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary - HAPPY 300th BIRTHDAY, BEN FRANKLIN! On the 300-year anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s birth (1706-2006), we invite you to join in the national celebration honoring the life and enduring legacy of one of our most remarkable founding fathers. Explore this site to find out about the international traveling exhibition Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World and more...
Benjamin Franklin's Thirtee Virtues - 1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
Colonial Hall: Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Page 1 - Benjamin Franklin was born at Boston, on the 17th of January, 1706. His ancestors were from the county of Northampton, in England, where they had for many generations possessed a small freehold estate, near the village of Eaton. During the persecutions in the reign of Charles II., against the puritans, the father of Benjamin, who was of that persuasion, emigrated to America, and settling in Boston, had recourse for a livelihood to the business of a chandler and soap boiler.
Franklin, Benjamin - His scientific reputation rests mainly on his accomplishments as an inventor and as a pioneering theorist in the physics of electricity, but his interests were also mathematical. His version of magic square - a variant now termed the Franklin magic square - was inspired by the work of Stifel and Frénicle, both of whose magic squares were of a more traditional variety. He also drew magic circles.
From Revolution to Reconstruction: Biographies: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - Benjamin Franklin His Autobiography 1706-1757. Index
From Revolution to Reconstruction: Outlines: Outline of American Literature: Democratic Origins and Revolutionary Writers - Benjamin Franklin, whom the Scottish philosopher David Hume called America's "first great man of letters," embodied the Enlightenment ideal of humane rationality. Practical yet idealistic, hard-working and enormously successful, Franklin recorded his early life in his famous Autobiography.
History Channel - Ben Franklin - Inventor, politician, writer, businessman, scientist, diplomat. Those are the many images that come to mind when we remember Benjamin Franklin. But there is much more to his story.
Papers of Benjamin Franklin - The Papers of Benjamin Franklin. Yale University Library
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin - Statesman, scientist, inventor, publisher of the Pennsylvania Gazette, author of Poor Richard's Almanac, member of the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, signer of the Declaration of Independence, first U.S. Postmaster General, American commissioner to Paris.
Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin - Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. He was the tenth son of soap maker, Josiah Franklin. Benjamin's mother was Abiah Folger, the second wife of Josiah. In all, Josiah would father 17 children.
World of Benjamin Franklin - America has never forgotten Benjamin Franklin because he did both. He lived these words of wisdom by writing as much as he possibly could and by doing even more. He became famous for being a scientist, an inventor, a statesman, a printer, a philosopher, a musician, and an economist. Today, we honor Ben Franklin as one of our Founding Fathers and as one of America's greatest citizens.
Writings of Benjamin Franklin, Volume I: Boston and London, 1722 - 1726 - Silence Dogood
Inventions
Benjamin Franklin and His Inventions - A list of Benjamin Franklin's inventions reveals a man of many talents and interests. It was the scientist in Ben that brought out the inventor. His natural curiosity about things and the way they work made him try to find ways to make them work better.
Franklin's Kite - Probably the most famous experiment to do with lightning is that of Benjamin Franklin and his famous kite. What Franklin was investigating was whether or not lightning was an electric phenomenon. This seems fairly obvious to most of us today, but we must remember that in Franklin's day the largest sparks they could make were under an inch long! Since lightning is several miles long it is not so obvious that they can be the same.
Physics Today October 2003 - Article: Benjamin Franklin, Civic Scientist - That early American prototype of a civic scientist would probably address many of today's concerns with wisdom, practicality, and a deep sense of civic responsibility.
Quotations
Benjamin Franklin Quotes - The Quotations Page - A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats. Benjamin Franklin
Resources for Children
Benjamin Franklin: A Man of Many Talents - We have studied about Benjamin Franklin. We've learned that when Ben was young he was not very good at math. We've also learned that he had many jobs and invented many things. We're really excited about Ben and we want to share what we have learned with you. Please enjoy your visit! by Alexander, Dana, Max & Samantha
2nd Grade - Pocantico Hills School
Ben's Guide: Benjamin Franklin - Hello kids! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Benjamin Franklin. I will be your guide throughout this site. You probably know me best as a Founding Father and from my "shocking" kite experiment.
Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids - Welcome! Choose a grade to explore.
Comments or suggestions: d-nadler@govst.edu
