Back to the printing business...
After Denham's death, Benjamin Franklin decided to return to the printing career. He developed a partnership with Hugh Meredith and founded a printing house in 1728, publishing his very own newspaper, The Pennsylvania Gazette. The Gazette gave Franklin a forum for a variety of local reforms and initiatives through printed essays and observations. Over time, his commentary, and his cultivation of a positive image as an intellectual young man, earned him a large amount of respect. But even after Franklin had achieved fame as a scientist and statesman, he habitually signed his letters with the humble signature of "B. Franklin, Printer."
Success as an Author
In 1733, Franklin started publishing his famous Poor Richard's Almanack under the pseudonym Richard Saunders. Even though it was quite obvious Franklin was the man behind Saunders, his character would repeatedly deny it. He sold about ten million copies each year.
"Poor Richard's Proverbs," come from this almanac, such as "A penny saved is twopence dear" (which is often misquoted as "A penny saved is a penny earned") and "Fish and visitors stink in three days" remain common quotations in the modern world, although rephrased. Daylight Savings Time had been first introduced in an article Franklin had written anonymously, but all the credit for the modern DST was given to George Vernon Hudson, who proposed it in 1895.
"Poor Richard's Proverbs," come from this almanac, such as "A penny saved is twopence dear" (which is often misquoted as "A penny saved is a penny earned") and "Fish and visitors stink in three days" remain common quotations in the modern world, although rephrased. Daylight Savings Time had been first introduced in an article Franklin had written anonymously, but all the credit for the modern DST was given to George Vernon Hudson, who proposed it in 1895.
Of Family Matters
In 1730, Franklin, now 24, publicly confirmed that he had an illegitimate son named William. William's biological mother's identity was never confirmed, and perhaps the responsibility that came with this birth had caused Franklin to choose to marry... On September 1st of 1730, he established a common-law marriage (an irregular form of marriage that can be legally contracted in an extremely limited number of jurisdictions and is universally recognized as a valid marriage) with Deborah Read, whom he had proposed to once before when he was seventeen.
Deborah was quite sea-sick, so she would never accompany Benjamin on his voyages oversea. He would plead and plead, but with no avail. So it ended in which Benjamin left alone for London, and when Deborah would write to him in November of 1769, Benjamin refused to return, even when she explained she was sick with the illness that was caused by "dissatisfied distress" from his absence. She died of a stroke in 1774 while Benjamin was on a prolonged trip in England.
William had separated from his family, having severed the relationship between him and his father, because of their differing opinions over the treatment of the colonies by the British government. William had pledged his loyalty to the Royal crown, which Benjamin couldn't accept.
Any hope for their bond was destroyed when William became the leader of The Board of Associated Loyalists, a quasi-military organization headquartered in New York City, which was British-occupied back then, and launched guerrilla forays into New Jersey, southern Connecticut, and the New York counties north of the city.
However severed their bond may be, Benjamin still had love for his son, and tried to ask for a pardon for the loyalists that had attacked the United States in the peace talks. Sadly, William left with the British troops and settled in England, never to return.
William himself had an illegitimate child, William Temple Franklin. After the birth, William Franklin married a woman named Elizabeth Downes. History does repeat itself!
Benjamin requested that his grandchild be brought to Philadelphia, so Temple Franklin was raised there. He served as a father to Benjamin Franklin during the mission to Paris during the Revolutionary War. He died in Paris in 1823 and was buried in the famous Père-Lachaise Cemetery.
Deborah was quite sea-sick, so she would never accompany Benjamin on his voyages oversea. He would plead and plead, but with no avail. So it ended in which Benjamin left alone for London, and when Deborah would write to him in November of 1769, Benjamin refused to return, even when she explained she was sick with the illness that was caused by "dissatisfied distress" from his absence. She died of a stroke in 1774 while Benjamin was on a prolonged trip in England.
William had separated from his family, having severed the relationship between him and his father, because of their differing opinions over the treatment of the colonies by the British government. William had pledged his loyalty to the Royal crown, which Benjamin couldn't accept.
Any hope for their bond was destroyed when William became the leader of The Board of Associated Loyalists, a quasi-military organization headquartered in New York City, which was British-occupied back then, and launched guerrilla forays into New Jersey, southern Connecticut, and the New York counties north of the city.
However severed their bond may be, Benjamin still had love for his son, and tried to ask for a pardon for the loyalists that had attacked the United States in the peace talks. Sadly, William left with the British troops and settled in England, never to return.
William himself had an illegitimate child, William Temple Franklin. After the birth, William Franklin married a woman named Elizabeth Downes. History does repeat itself!
Benjamin requested that his grandchild be brought to Philadelphia, so Temple Franklin was raised there. He served as a father to Benjamin Franklin during the mission to Paris during the Revolutionary War. He died in Paris in 1823 and was buried in the famous Père-Lachaise Cemetery.
It was later in his life that Franklin began inventing and discovering things. Look in the Accomplishments tab to see. These took up many years of his life.
Franklin also journeyed to England to protest on the colonies' behalf. He participated in many historical events, such as the 1765 Stamp Act (which he opposed, but could not prevent), and the very famous Revolutionary War.
When Franklin returned to the colonies in May of 1775, the American Revolution had just begun with a fight in Lexington and Concord. The Pennsylvania Assembly unanimously chose Franklin as their delegate to the Second Continental Congress. In June 1776, he was appointed a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Although he was temporarily disabled by gout (a kind of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in blood and causes joint inflammation) and unable to attend most meetings of the Committee, Franklin made several small changes to the draft sent to him by Thomas Jefferson. At the signing of the famous document, he is quoted as having replied to a comment by John Hancock that they must all hang together: "Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."
Franklin also journeyed to England to protest on the colonies' behalf. He participated in many historical events, such as the 1765 Stamp Act (which he opposed, but could not prevent), and the very famous Revolutionary War.
When Franklin returned to the colonies in May of 1775, the American Revolution had just begun with a fight in Lexington and Concord. The Pennsylvania Assembly unanimously chose Franklin as their delegate to the Second Continental Congress. In June 1776, he was appointed a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Although he was temporarily disabled by gout (a kind of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in blood and causes joint inflammation) and unable to attend most meetings of the Committee, Franklin made several small changes to the draft sent to him by Thomas Jefferson. At the signing of the famous document, he is quoted as having replied to a comment by John Hancock that they must all hang together: "Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."
On July 26, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the United States Post Office and named Franklin the first United States Postmaster General. This established a postal system that became the United States Post Office, a system that is still in use today.
Afterwards, he was sent to many areas (such as France) as commissioner for the United States.
Afterwards, he was sent to many areas (such as France) as commissioner for the United States.
An abscess had developed in his lung, which then exploded. After much vomiting, Franklin's body didn't have any more energy, and finally, his organs began to fail and he entered a lethargic state. At around 11 o'clock at night, he slipped on peacefully, finally ending his life.
Franklin died on April 17, 1790, at age 84. Approximately 20,000 people attended his funeral. He was entombed in Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia.
Franklin died on April 17, 1790, at age 84. Approximately 20,000 people attended his funeral. He was entombed in Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia.