Ben Franklin's Birthday

Benjamin Franklin - January 17, 1706 to April 17, 1790


My friend, Jaydene shared this and I think it's an apt tribute to a great leader and Patriot so I'm posting it here.

Mr. Franklin was one of America's most instrumental statesmen. He served as a diplomat to France and England; was the President (Governor) of Pennsylvania; founded the University of Pennsylvania; signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. In August of 1781 Mr. Franklin went to Paris to negotiate the Treaty of Paris, which ended the War with the British on September 3, 1783. The terms of this treaty were described as "so advantageous to the Colonies that it has been called the greatest achievement in the history of American diplomacy." (Faith of Our Founding Fathers by Tim LaHaye, Printed Brentwood, Tennessee, Wolgemuth & Hyatt Publisher, Inc. 1987, page 115.)

Mr. Franklin was a creative author. His book, Poor Richard's Almanac (1732-1757) shared innumerable proverbs with it's readers and are still of interest in our day. He sold about ten thousand copies per year (a circulation equal to nearly three million today.) A couple of examples are below:

"God heals, and the doctor takes the fees."

"Waste not, want not."

"God helps them that help themselves." (June 1736)

"Work as if you were to live 100 years; pray as if you were to die tomorrow. (May 1757)

His letters written to friends reveal his wisdom and hope for the future. -- to David Hartley, a British friend, Ben wrote: "God grant that not only the love of liberty, but a thorough knowledge of the rights of man, may pervade all the nations of the earth, so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface, and say, 'This is my country'.".

He was also a fine scientist and inventor. It is somewhat disputed that Mr. Franklin was possible the inventor of the "rocking chair" This invention has now blessed an untold number of people from infants to the aged. Rocking chairs (sometimes called rockers) first made an appearance sometime in the 1700s, although no one knows exactly when. Stories abound that Benjamin Franklin is the inventor of the rocking chair, while others suggest that he did not invent the chairs but was one of the earliest owners of one. It is for sure that he did make one which was very "cool" for if one rocked in it there was an automatic fan attached to it. But, regardless of who actually invented these amazing pieces of furniture, there is no doubt that rockers are the most comfortable of all types of chairs available today.

So next time you have occasion to to relax in one or rock a child or grandchild think of this wise kindly man who wanted so much to help others for he stated that "he could only show his own gratitude for the mercies of God, by a readiness on his part to help God's other children." (from a letter to Joseph Huey June 6, 1753)

The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin

1706 Born in Boston, Massachusetts January 17
1718 Begins an apprenticeship in brother James' printing shop, Boston
1723 Age 17, leaves family, running away to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1724 Moves to London, continuing his training as a printer
1726 Returns to Philadelphia
1728 Opens his own Printing Office in Philadelphia
1729 Becomes sole owner and publisher of the Pennsylvania Gazette
1730 Marries Deborah Read Rogers
1731 Birth of Ben's son William; Founds the first Circulating Library
1732 Birth of Ben's son Francis
1732 Annually, publishes Poor Richard: An Almanack to 1758   
1736 Death of young son Francis; Founds Union Fire Co.in Philadelphia
1737 Appointed Postmaster of Philadelphia
1742 Proposes the idea for the University of Pennsylvania
1743 Birth of Ben's daughter Sarah, also known as "Sally"
1745 Death of Ben's father, Josiah Franklin
1747 First writings of electrical experimentation;
1747 Organizes the first Militia
1748 Sells printing office, retiring from business
1751 His book Experiments and Observations on Electricity published, London
1752 Performs famous kite experiment
1752 Death of his mother,Abiah Folger Franklin;
1752 Founds first American fire insurance company
1757 Travels in London as representative of Pennsylvania Assembly
1762 Returns to Philadelphia
1764 Travels to London
1767 Travels to France
1769 Elected president of the American Philosophical Society
1774 The Hutchinson Letters Affair damages his reputation;
1774 While in London, receives word of wife's death
1775 Returns to Philadelphia; Elected to Continental Congress
1775 Submits Articles of Confederation of United Colonies
1776 Signs Declaration of Independence
1776 Presides at Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention
1776 Sails to France as American Commissioner
1778 Negotiates and signs Treaty of Alliance with France
1779 Appointed Minister to France
1782 Negotiates, with John Adams & John Jay, the Treaty of Peace w/GB
1783 In Paris, watches Montgolfier bros.(first men to fly in balloon)
1784 Negotiates treaties with Prussia and other Europeans
1785 Returns to Philadelphia
1787 Elected pres. of PA Soc. to Promote Abolition of Slavery
1787 Serves as delegate to Constitutional Convention
1790 At age 84, dies in Philadelphia April 17