FRANKLIN

BENJAMIN,?.1706,¢.17 was one of a lanro family in poor circu stances. He commenced work as printer with his broth or, educating hims at the same time. In 1732 he began publish ‘Poor Richard’s Almana which soon achieved a popularity that ¢ jadement of time has justised. became an official in the state servi and, in 1746, began to turn bis vers at tnind to scientific research, a domain which he established his name by givi the world his “aah! of positive a negative electricity, his suggestion of t use of lightning conductors, his discore of the pa age of storms over great are and his theories of tho nature and cow of the Gulf Stream. After the age of | however, be was engaged principally ® Statesman and diplomatic representath Tie represented the American colonists England with succe , until the o break of the American War of In pendence, 1775, when he returned America, and o- & prominent part public afairs. In 1776 he was sent amba ador to Pariz, where he secur French a istance for the America: The last ye am of his life were spent office at Philadelphia, where he dik leaving Dehind Lim a name equally gre in literature, science, and diploma’ e SRANKLIN, [s. 149]