Benjamin franklin brief biography of william

American polymath and statesman (–)

"Ben Franklin" redirects here. For other uses, see Benjamin Franklin (disambiguation).

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, [O.S. January 6, ]&#;&#; April 17, ) was an American polymath: a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political philosopher. Among the most influential intellectuals of his time, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States; a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence; and the first postmaster general.

Born in the Prov

It may seem surprising that one of our most well-known founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, had a Loyalist son. In fact many families were divided during the Revolution, with some members choosing to rebel against British rule and others remaining loyal to the King. Benjamin Franklin and his son, William Franklin, prominently exemplified these divided loyalties. How did this rift occur, and were they ever reconciled?

Judging from their early years together, no one would imagine they would end up in opposition to one another. William Franklin (b. in Boston), was Benjamin Franklin’s acknowledged illegitimate son, raised by Franklin and his common-law wife, Deborah Read. Benjamin Franklin saw to William’s schooling and taught him the printing trade. William helped with publishing Poor Richard’s Almanac and also assisted his father with many of his scientific investigations including his famous kite and lightening experiment. Yes, William was in the field where it happened! Having done so himself, Franklin was well aware of how to build a man’s career and was determined to do so for his son. Benjamin was careful to obtain a military commission for William during the French and Indian War, and later used his influence to help “Billy” as the family called him win positions such as Controller of the General Post Office and Clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly. When Benjamin became Colonial Agent for Pennsylvania and New Jersey, he took his son to England where William read law. Father and son traveled together in England and Scotland, enjoying contacts with the British aristocracy.  When George III became King, William was appointed Royal Governor of New Jersey. Ben Franklin could not have been more proud. His efforts for his son’s success had paid off!

So, for ro

On January 13, , the British appointed governor of New Jersey, William Franklin, stood in front of the New Jersey Legislator and implored them to remain loyal to King George III. “You have now pointed out to you, gentlemen, two roads,” he said, “one evidently leading to peace, happiness, and a restoration of the public tranquility--the other inevitably conducting you to anarchy, misery, and all the horrors of a civil war.” Two years earlier, the Sons of Liberty had thrown chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. Protests had erupted through the thirteen colonies, and the First Continental Congress has met the previous fall to enact an economic boycott on British Goods. Franklin asked for reconciliation with Britain. The Legislature voted unanimously to support the budding revolution. 

Ironically, William Franklin was a staunch loyalist, while his father, Benjamin Franklin, was one of the founding fathers of the upcoming revolution. Franklin was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 22, , as an illegitimate son to Benjamin. His mother’s identity was never known. He was raised by Benjamin’s common-law wife Deborah Reed and openly acknowledged by his father. As a child, Franklin helped his father write the Poor Richard’s Almanak, assisted with his many science experiments and learned the printing trade. At sixteen, he joined the provincial troops in King George’s War () and ended his enlistment with the rank of Captain in In , he sailed to London to study law at Middle Temple. While there, he produced an illegitimate son, William Temple Franklin, and married Elizabeth Downes.   

Through extensive networking by Benjamin Franklin, Franklin was able to secure the royal position of Governor of New Jersey and became the longest-serving royal governor of the state. His tenure directly correlated to his impressive job as governor: he helped reform roads, construct bridges, and secure crop su

Benjamin Franklin  ©Franklin was a statesman, diplomat, writer, scientist and inventor, one of the most versatile and talented men in colonial America and a leading figure in the American struggle for independence.

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on 17 January He attended school only briefly, and then helped his father, who was a candle and soap maker. He was apprenticed to his brother, a printer, and began writing anonymously for his brother's newspaper. Franklin and his brother quarrelled, and in Franklin ran away to Philadelphia. After 18 months in London, Franklin settled in Philadelphia, establishing himself as a printer. He bought the 'Pennsylvania Gazette', which he edited and which became one of the American colonies' major newspapers. He also wrote and published 'Poor Richard's Almanack', an astronomy journal.

By , Franklin had made enough money to retire from business and concentrate on science and inventing. His inventions included the Franklin stove and the lightning rod. He demonstrated that lightning and electricity are identical with his famous kite experiment. Franklin also became more active in politics. He was clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly (), a member of the Assembly (), and deputy postmaster for the Colonies (), reorganising the postal service to make it efficient and profitable.

Franklin was also involved in many public projects, including founding the American Philosophical Society, a subscription library and, in , an academy which later became the University of Pennsylvania.

From to , Franklin lived mainly in London where he was the colonial representative for Pennsylvania, Georgia, New Jersey and Massachusetts. His attempts to reconcile the British government with the colonies proved fruitless. On his return to America, the war of independence had already broken out and he threw himself into the struggle. In , he helped to draft, and was then a signatory to, the Declaration of Independence. His