Hello, my name is Benjaimn Franklin. I was very famous in my day. Come to think of it, I still am. My inventions are still used, like bifocals, the Franklin Stove and many others. My ideas of changing things that I saw fit are still used today; like how I changed the Postal Service and other things too. But most importantly, I was such a big part of history, the Government decided that I should be on the $100 bill ! So read on to find out more about one of the greatest men of the 18th century.

I was born in Boston Mass. on January, 17, 1706. I was the 15th child of our 17 child family, so you could imagine things being pretty hectic. My father worked as a soap and candle maker to provide for our large family. I only spent two years in the local school because of lack of money. After the age of ten, I assisted my father in his soap shop. My lack of school didn't end my learning. I began teaching myself the basics of geometry and algebra. I also studied and partially mastered many different languages. At age 12, I began working for my brother at his printing shop. I wrote many articles and slipped them through the night deposit box under a different name. My articles won much recognition. My brother finally found out it was me and stopped printing my articles. Filled with hate and regret, I ran away to Philadelphia to begin my early career.

From 1723 to 1730 I worked from printing press to printing press to earn enough to live off. Finally I became partial owner of a print shop in 1728. At this shop I started The Pennsylvania Gazette. In this paper I usually wrote most of the material. My name became very popular in the colonies. Then I married my beautiful wife, Deborah Read. After that I started "Poor Richard's Almanac, " which was on the Best Sellers list for a while. I began what was most likely the first public library in America. Also during this time, I was the clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly and the Post Master of Philadelphia. With all this hustle and bustle, I still had time to write my own autobiography. Now I was ready for the world and it's time to make it a better place.

One of my first inventions was the Franklin Stove which produced more heat and used less wood to burn. Also with my trusty kite, I proved heat lighting was actually a form of electricity. Speaking of lighting, I also invented the lighting rod that saved many homes from burning down. From these experiments and inventions, I received many degrees at Oxford. I also created the first bifocal lenses that assisted people to read, even me. In 1748 I sold my print shop. Then I served in Pennsylvania Assembly again until my death. During the French and Indian War I purchased many horses, wagons and other supplies for the troops. In 1757 I was sent to England to help with taxes for the war. My speeches were listened to by many people. Now it was time for me to go back to my home land. After my 11 year absence, America seemed strange to me.In 1775, I had to travel to Canada due to the Revolutionary War.

I had to suffer many hardships along the way. I was mugged too, can you believe that? I worked as a recruiting officer trying to get others to help in the war. Then I was chosen to be part of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. After I signed the Declaration of Independence, I was chosen the seek extra assistance in France to get a peace treaty signed. Finally the peace treaty was signed on September 3, 1783. I won nobility for science experiments from the French King. I also helped find recruits during the French Revolutionary War. My heart was broken when I saw all of the violence of the war. When I returned, I entered in the US Congress on February 12, 1790. I served as president of Pennsylvania Abolition Society. During my presidency we strived to end slavery. Tragically I died on April 17 1790 at the age of 84.

My life could be summarized in many ways.(i.e. above) I tried in many ways to make not only America a better place, but the world too. I helped in more than three wars, one worse than the first. My ideas for a public library and a better postal system are still around today and hopefully for the future. The Franklin Stove is still used in some homes, but now most people have central heaters for their homes. Lighting rods are still used in some areas, but are not common. My bifocal lenses are still used in optometry and now there are trifocals. So no you con see why I am a true blue American Hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!