January 17
The Most Amazing American is 308
Benjamin Franklin
This true genius did so many important things, it will be difficult to be brief. Born in Boston, to a very humble family of seven or eight siblings, said he couldn't remember not being able to read. At a very young age he worked for his brother in a printing business. Still quite young, he decided to set out on his own to Philadelphia, and walked there...a pretty good walk by any standard. Worked in printing there, before adventure again called and he sailed to England and easily found work, again in the printing business. He returned to Philadelphia and began his own enterprizes. Printing and publishing. His successes in business allowed him enough money to retire to pursuits of more interest.
He wrote and published 'Poor Richards Almanac' read by almost everyone in America
Established the first Post Office and first Fire Department
Invented the Lighting Rod by virtue of his fascination with electricity, and the Franklin Stove (a cast iron fireplace) which could warm an entire room evenly.
Was part of the commitee of five for Jeffersons Declaration of Independence and provided some minor corrections to it.
Was appointed plenipotentiary to France and secured finance and military support from her.
Was a major help and signer of The U.S. Constitution, authored by James Madison.
And much too more to mention...
In a letter by Thomas Jefferson dated February 19, 1791 (address illegible) he wrote in part:..."I found the ministers of France equally impressed with the talents and integrity of Dr. Franklin...When he left Passy (about a mile or so from Paris), it seemed as if the village had lost its patriarch. On taking leave of the court, which he did by letter, the King ordered him to be handsomely complimented, and furnished him wih a litter and mules of his own, the only kind of conveyance the state of his health could bear....
The succession to Dr. Franklin, at the court of France, was an excellent school of humility. On being presented to any one as the minister of America, the commonplace question used in such cases was "c'est vous, Monsieur, qui remplace le Docteur Franklin?" ( "it is you, Sir, who replace Doctor Franklin?") I generally answered, "no one can replace him, Sir; I am only his successor."
Lily