Page "Benjamin Franklin" Paragraph 2

Franklin, always proud of his working class roots, became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies.

He was also partners with William Goddard and Joseph Galloway the three of whom published the Pennsylvania Chronicle, a newspaper that was known for its revolutionary sentiments and criticisms of the British monarchy in the American colonies.

He became wealthy publishing Poor Richard's Almanack and The Pennsylvania Gazette.

Franklin gained international renown as a scientist for his famous experiments in electricity and for his many inventions, especially the lightning rod.

He played a major role in establishing the University of Pennsylvania and was elected the first president of the American Philosophical Society.

Franklin became a national hero in America when he spearheaded the effort to have Parliament repeal the unpopular Stamp Act.

An accomplished diplomat, he was widely admired among the French as American minister to Paris and was a major figure in the development of positive Franco-American relations.

For many years he was the British postmaster for the colonies, which enabled him to set up the first national communications network.

He was active in community affairs, colonial and state politics, as well as national and international affairs.

From 1785 to 1788, he served as governor of Pennsylvania.

Toward the end of his life, he freed his slaves and became one of the most prominent abolitionists.