Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Benjamin Franklin
Quotes References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
Benjamin Franklin Poor Richard's almanac Benjamin Franklin “Join, or Die” Declaration of Independence Benjamin Franklin and Louis XVI of France Franklin at the court of France Color aquatint portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Francois Janinet and Joseph Siffred Duplessis, showing Franklin in a brown coat with a fur collar, facing forward. Oil painting of Benjamin Franklin wearing a green coat with a fur collar and a white cravat, set against a dark background. Gulf Stream map
At a Glance
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin summary
Quizzes
Thumbnail for the quiz, "Who Did That? A Historical Bio Quiz." Head with question mark made with string and pins.
Who Did That? A Historical Bio Quiz
American Colonial Flag, popularly attributed to Betsy Ross, was designed during the American Revolutionary War features 13 stars to represent the original 13 colonies.
Facts You Should Know: American Revolution
Washington Monument. Washington Monument and fireworks, Washington DC. The Monument was built as an obelisk near the west end of the National Mall to commemorate the first U.S. president, General George Washington.
All-American History Quiz
The original copy of the constitution of the United States; housed in the National Archives, Washington, D.C.
American History and Politics Quiz
Gutzon Borglum. Presidents. Sculpture. National park. George Washington. Thomas Jefferson. Theodore Roosevelt. Abraham Lincoln. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota.
U.S. History Highlights: Part One
Related Questions
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin The author, inventor, and diplomat was a U.S. Founding Father.

Benjamin Franklin

American publisher, author, and scientist
Also known as: Richard Saunders, Silence Dogood
Written by
Theodore Hornberger
John Welsh Centennial Professor of History and English Literature, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1968–75. Author of Benjamin Franklin.
Theodore HornbergerAll
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
Last updated
•History

Benjamin Franklin (born January 17 [January 6, Old Style], 1706, Boston, Massachusetts [U.S.]—died April 17, 1790, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.) was an American printer and publisher, author, inventor and scientist, and diplomat. One of the foremost of the Founding Fathers, Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence and was one of its signers, represented the United States in France during the American Revolution, and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. He made important contributions to...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile