Benjamin Franklin
1706 – 1790

Benjamin Franklin

American polymath and statesman (1706–1790)

polymathdiplomatpoliticianwriter
Born
1706-01-17, Boston
Died
1790-04-17
Birthplace state
Massachusetts

Biography

Benjamin Franklin was an American polymath: a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political philosopher. Among the most influential intellectuals of his time, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States; a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence; and the first postmaster general.

Occupation

Benjamin Franklin is recorded as a polymath, a diplomat, a politician and a writer, born in Massachusetts (1706–1790).

Connections to Massachusetts

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1706. Explore other notable figures from Massachusetts, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

Other notable figures from Massachusetts›Massachusettshistory ›Historic sites in Massachusetts›
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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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More notable figures from Massachusetts

Other historical figures born in Massachusetts, ranked by historical prominence.

John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
president of the United States from 1961 to 1963 (1917–1963)
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
American writer and literary critic (1809–1849)
George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
president of the United States from 1989 to 1993 (1924-2018)
John Adams
John Adams
Founding Father, U.S. president from 1797 to 1801
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
President of the United States from 1825 to 1829
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
American philosopher (1803–1882)
Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson
American poet (1830-1886)

Frequently asked about Benjamin Franklin

Who was Benjamin Franklin?
Benjamin Franklin was American polymath and statesman (1706–1790), born in Massachusetts (1706 – 1790).
When and where was Benjamin Franklin born?
Benjamin Franklin was born on 1706-01-17 in Boston.
When did Benjamin Franklin die?
Benjamin died on 1790-04-17.
What was Benjamin Franklin known for?
Benjamin Franklin is recorded as a polymath, a diplomat, a politician and a writer.
Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

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