Benjamin Franklin Birthplace Site was added to Your Favorites!
Boston, Massachusetts
Claim this place to tell your story your way.
The site of his birthplace is marked by a plaque at the Old South Meeting House, as the original house no longer exists.
His father, Josiah Franklin, had seven children with his first wife and ten with his second, Abiah Folger.
Despite this, he became one of the most influential Founding Fathers through self-education and practical experience.
He worked as a printer's apprentice, which sparked his lifelong passion for writing and publishing.
His experiments with electricity led to the development of this device, which is still used today to protect buildings from lightning strikes.
He adopted the diet as a teenager, influenced by his reading of Thomas Tryon's writings on vegetarianism.
The Library Company of Philadelphia was established in 1731, allowing people to borrow books for free.
He played a crucial role in securing French support during the American Revolution, which was vital for the colonies' victory.
He founded the University of Pennsylvania, which was one of the first institutions in America to offer a modern curriculum.
In addition to the lightning rod, he invented bifocal glasses and the Franklin stove, among other innovations.
