Benjamin Franklin

Politics

• Proposed a plan in 1754 for united colonies and after the Stamp Act he worked hard for that goal
• Went to England in 1775 to talk to King George over who should control the government

POLITICS CONT.

• Elected to second continental congress and drafted the Declaration of Independence
• Was friends with France and persuaded them to sign loans to America
• 6th president of Pennsylvania

Scientist

• Invented split-lens bifocals, lightening rod (divert lightening), refrigerator
• Invented the Franklin stove (made the stove much hotter with less fuel)
• Storms don’t always travel in the same wind
• Found out electricity was in the sky from lightning
• 24- hour clock

Writer

• Wrote Poor Richard’s Almanack, his take on ethical philosophy
• Published an autobiography in 1771
• Wrote for the Pennsylvania Gazette
• Wrote a satire called Rules by which a Great Empire May be Reduced to a Small one intended to Calm tensions with Britain