American Legends: The Life of Benjamin Franklin

*Includes pictures of Franklin and the important people, places, and events in his life.

*Includes a list of famous quotes from Poor Richard's Almanack

*Includes a list of some of Franklin's most important inventions 

*Explains some of the myths and legends of Franklin, including whether he actually flew a kite in a thunderstorm


A lot of ink has been spilled covering the lives of history’s most influential figures, but how much of the forest is lost for the trees? In Charles River Editors’ American Legends series, readers can get caught up to speed on the lives of America’s most important men and women in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known. 


Before the United States of America even existed, the first American celebrity was Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790). In his career, Franklin was an author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. After having his hand in all kinds of community service in Philadelphia, and inventing important devices like lightning rods, Franklin used his unique status as an international celebrity to become the colonies’ best diplomat, first as an ambassador to Britan and then as an ambassador to France during the American Revolution. Franklin was particularly revered in Enlightened France, where he skillfully negotiated French entry into the Revolutionary War in a manner that practically bankrupted them, a critical step that helped the colonists win their independence. After negotiating the Treaty of Paris, Franklin played a role at the Constitutional Convention in his adopted home town of Philadelphia during the twilight of his life. 


Like other Founding Fathers, Franklin’s lengthy career and magnificent exploits have been heavily embellished, to the point that some of the myths of Franklin’s life are better known than the man himself. In addition to highlighting his life and legacy, American Legends: The Life of Benjamin Franklin also humanizes the First American, a charming ladies’ man who had a bitter falling out with his son over the Revolution. Along with pictures of Franklin and other important people and events in his life, you will learn about Franklin like you never have before, in no time at all.