Ben Franklin was a one-of-a-kind American original. He was a writer, a publisher, a diplomat, and an inventor. And, he was also a Founding Father of the United States of America.

In America, the Founding Fathers are considered to be the men who drew up and signed the U.S. Constitution in 1787. In addition to Ben Franklin, the list of Founding Fathers includes familiar names like George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, and Alexander Hamilton.

Ben Franklin was a brilliant man with a wide range of interests and accomplishments. Although he started out with almost no money, he gained great wealth as a successful publisher and businessman. With all those accomplishments, it’s no wonder that he became one of the most important Americans in history.

Fun Fact: Ben Franklin is the only Founding Father to have signed all three documents that freed America from Britain: the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris, and the United States Constitution.

Fun Fact: Ben Franklin was the oldest Founding Father to sign the Constitution. He was 81 when he signed it.

Fun Fact: Franklin was the first person to ask Congress to abolish slavery. He did it in 1790, two months before his death.

Fun Fact: Franklin was largely self-taught. In fact, he only had two years of formal education. To make up for his lack of time in the classroom, he read lots of books.

Fun Fact: When Ben Franklin arrived in Philadelphia in 1723, he was practically penniless, but over the next two decades he became very wealthy as a print shop owner, a land speculator, and the publisher of the popular Poor Richard’s Almanack.

Quotes by Ben Franklin

“Lost time is never found again.”

“God helps them that help themselves.”

“Little strokes fell great oaks.”

“If you would have a good and faithful servant, and one you like, serve yourself.”

“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”

“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”