Benjamin Franklin

1706-01-17 - 1790-04-17 Contemporaries

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) was an American polymath who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence and the first postmaster general. Born in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, he became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, publishing The Pennsylvania Gazette at age 23 and the best-selling Poor Richard's Almanack.