People Associated With:
- Thomas Jefferson
- John Adams
- George Washington
- Voltaire
- David Hume
Documents Associated With:
- Declaration of Independence
- Articles of Confederation
- Treaty of Paris 1776 (1783)
- Constitution of the United States
- Poor Richard’s Almanac
Impact on American Society:
- Scientific Achievements: Developed the lightning rod, bifocal lenses, and the Franklin stove.
- Political Contributions: Served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. Played a key role in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
- Diplomatic Successes: Negotiated the Treaty of Paris with France, which ended the American Revolution and recognized American independence.
- Social Reforms: Founded the Philadelphia Academy, which later became the University of Pennsylvania. Established the first lending library in the colonies.
- Literary Contributions: Published Poor Richard’s Almanac, a popular collection of proverbs and witticisms.
Groups Associated With:
- ** Sons of Liberty:** A radical political group that protested British rule in the colonies.
- American Philosophical Society: A learned society founded by Franklin to promote scientific and intellectual inquiry.
- ** Constitutional Convention:** A gathering of delegates from the thirteen colonies that drafted the Constitution of the United States.
- French Court: Franklin spent several years in France as a diplomat, where he gained support for the American cause during the Revolution.