Died: April 17, 1790 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Notable accomplishments:
- Printer
- Successful businessman
- Author
- Scientist/Inventor
- Statesman
- Owner and publisher of the Pennsylvania Gazette
- Founds the first Circulating Library, 1731
- Annually, publishes "Poor Richard: An Almanack", 1732-1758
- Founds the Union Fire Company in Philadelphia, 1736
- Appointed Postmaster of Philadelphia, 1737
- Proposes the idea for the University of Pennsylvania, 1742
- First writings of electrical experimentation, 1747
- Organizes the first Militia, 1747
- Publishes "Experiments and Observations on Electricity", 1751
- Performs famous kite experiment with electricity, 1752
- Founds first American fire insurance company, 1752
- Representative of the Pennsylvania Assembly, in London, 1757-1762
- Elected president of the American Philosophical Society, 1769
- Elected to Continental Congress, 1775
- Submits Articles of Confederation of United Colonies, 1775
- Signs the Declaration of Independence, 1776
- Presides at Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, 1776
- Serves as American Commissioner with France, 1776
- Negotiates and signs Treaty of Alliance with France, 1778
- Appointed Minister to France, 1779
- Negotiates, with John Adams and John Jay, the Treaty of Peace with Great Britain, 1782
- Negotiates treaties with Prussia and other European countries, 1784
- Elected president of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, 1787
- Serves as delegate to the Constitutional Convention, 1787
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