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|Founding Documents:=[[Declaration of Independence]], <br>[[United States Constitution]]
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'''Benjamin Franklin''' (January 17, 1706, [[Boston]] - April 17, 1790 [[Philadelphia]]), was an American [[polymath]], printer, inventor, statesman, [[chess]] enthusiast, and one of the most prominent scientists in the world of the [[Enlightenment]], famed for his discoveries in electricity. He was widely admired in [[France]] in addition to the [[United States]].
He was known as "the First American" because his efforts were critical to the formation of a new nation, the success of the [[American Revolution]] and the unification of the 13 colonies into the United States of America. Serving as the American minister to France, he secured decisive military and financial support for the Revolution, while asserting the values of democracy and [[republicanism]]. He assisted [[Thomas Jefferson]] in writing the [[Declaration of Independence]] in 1776 and helped legitimize the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1787. His effective diplomacy, creative nationalism, promotion of civic virtue and devotion to [[republicanism]] earned him the top tier as a [[Founding Father]].
{{DEFAULTSORT:Franklin, Benjamin}}
[[Category:Chess]]
[[Category:Inventors]]
[[Category:Founding Fathers]]
