ben franklin

     

1777 Jean-Baptiste Greuze portrait of Franklin.

Trivia about ben franklin

  • He published his "Poor Richard's Almanack" at the new printing office near the market in Philadelphia
  • He sat, apparently not too happily, for this portrait in Paris
  • He invented the Franklin stove
  • The state of Franklin, which had its own governor but was never admitted to the Union, was named for him
  • He's the hobbyist scientist seen here experimenting in 1752
  • Lightning struck when this 18th century inventor met Deborah Read & their common law marriage lasted 44 years
  • This man's national memorial includes a 30-ton statue of him & is found at the science museum named for him
  • He was "Poor" Richard Saunders
  • James, brother of this Philadelphian, began publishing Rhode Island's first newspaper in 1732
  • He founded Philly's first police force
  • He's the monetary green guy seen here in the newest version
  • He became clerk of the Pennsylvania assembly in 1736
  • (Jon of the Clue Crew reports from a post office.) The United States Postal Service has endured for over 200 years, starting with this first postmaster general, who also appeared on the post office's first stamp issue
  • The first U.S. stamp bore portraits of George Washington & this first postmaster general
  • In June of 1752, this man famously flew a kite in a thunderstorm as part of an electricity experiment
  • This American in Paris served as U.S. Minister to France from 1778 to 1785
  • In 1766 this Philadelphian spoke out against the Stamp Act in England's House of Commons
  • This statesman graced the 50-cent piece for 15 years beginning in 1948
  • Asked what the Constitutional Convention had given us, he said, "A republic, if you can keep it"
  • This Pennsylvanian's son William served as royal governor of New Jersey & remained loyal to the crown
  • In 1748 he electrocuted a turkey & roasted it over a fire started by electricity