Benjamin Franklin 1706 - 1790
Regarded as the First Great American Scientist
10th of 17 children, Left school at age of 10 Learned Craft of Publishing as apprentice
Became Businessman, Author, Inventor, Scientist, Statesman
- Discoveries on electricity were in advance of European Scientists.
- Famous kite experiments established electrical nature of lightening
- Invented “Lightening Rod” at time when Europe had medieval view of lightening - rang church bells to ward off lightening
Statesman representing the Colonies and the United States in Europe