Author

Books by Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) was an American statesman, scientist, printer, and writer. Born in Boston, he was largely self-educated and became one of the most accomplished figures of his era: he invented bifocals and the lightning rod, proved that lightning was electrical, helped draft both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, and served as the first American ambassador to France. He published Poor Richard's Almanack for over two decades. The autobiography, written between 1771 and his death in 1790, was first published in French translation in 1791 and in English in 1793.