Benjamin Franklin Facts for Kids

The study of early U.S. history wouldn't be complete without information about Benjamin Franklin. In his roles as inventor, printer, writer and diplomat, Franklin was actively involved in critical historical events, including the Revolutionary War and the Constitutional Convention. Share engaging facts about Franklin with your kids to spark their interest in U.S. history.

  1. Childhood

    • Franklin was born Jan. 17, 1706, in Boston to Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger. He was the 15th of 17 children born to his parents.

    Education

    • Franklin received his formal education for less than two years, beginning when he was 8 years old, according to the Revolutionary War and Beyond website. After leaving school, his father apprenticed him to Benjamin̵7;s older brother, James, who was a printer. Although Franklin enjoyed learning the printing trade, his brother was unkind and refused to help Benjamin by publishing his writing. Benjamin tricked his brother by submitting letters under a pseudonym. Eventually James learned of the trickery. Benjamin then abandoned the apprenticeship and moved to Philadelphia.

    Occupations

    • Franklin had many occupations, including printer, bookkeeper and shopkeeper. He opened his own printing shop and then bought ̶0;The Pennsylvania Gazette̶1; in 1729. Franklin published the first edition of ̶0;Poor Richard̵7;s Almanac̶1; in 1732 and continued publishing the almanac for 25 years, according to the Liberty̵7;s Kids website. Franklin was the official printer for Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Franklin was also Philadelphia̵7;s postmaster and eventually the deputy postmaster for the entire group of colonies.

    Inventions

    • Franklin has many inventions to his credit, including the Franklin stove, swim fins, the lightning rod, daylight savings time, the catheter and the library chair, according to the Franklin Institute. Franklin also established the first volunteer firefighting department and fire insurance company. When Franklin̵7;s vision deteriorated with age, he invented bifocals to help him see both close items and far away items with the same pair of glasses.

    Founding Father

    • In 1775, Franklin became a member of the Continental Congress and worked on the committee responsible for drafting the Declaration of Independence, according to the National Archives website. From 1776 and 1785, Franklin worked as a diplomat and statesman, participating in the process that ultimately ended the Revolutionary War. Even with his advanced age, Franklin participated in the Constitutional Convention and was among the signers of the Constitution in 1787.

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