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Benjamin Franklin



 Born : 17.01.1706 (Boston) Died: 17.04.1790 (Philadelphia) Benjamin Franklin was an American politician, author, philosopher, natural scientist and one of the most important persons of the enlightenment in America. Franklin was the son of a soap maker and he was qualified  as a book printer. Through relentless studies of books, evening lessons and visits of academies he increased his knowledge. He was also one of the most important scientists; he invented the lightning arrester and he discovered the Gulf Stream. Through his hard work he was vote into the House of Deputies of Pennsylvania in 1750. In 1776 he was one of the fellow signatory of the American Declaration of Independence, and Franklin also became an American envoy in Paris. In Paris he met Voltaire and they became very good friends. The consequent out of this was the alliance of the revolutionary colonies with France and the peace agreement with England in 1783.

Benjamin Franklin was a big supporter of liberty. He considered that every human being has the right to be respected and to live in freedom. With his statement he fought against the slavery and the slave trade. In his eyes was this treatment of humans beneath our dignity. However, he didn’t only fight for the rights of slaves; he also fought in general for the human rights. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the Unites States of America and in 1776 he signed the Declaration of Independence. Through that he paved the way for the foundation of the United States of America. He also played a big role on the social contract. His opinion about the quality of life was the same than Locke’s. He thought that every being has its freedom and right and nobody can take a person these things away. The purpose of society for Franklin and Locke is the protection of property, and the government are to secure this property. Franklin also took care of street cleaning, street lightning, the launch of the volunteer fire department, hospitals, the launching of lending library, and the organization of the school system. As a result we can say that Benjamin Franklin was a very engaged person. He supported humans and their rights. Franklin wanted the humans to live together in harmony and in freedom.

1. “Shake off all manner of prejudice, and bring themselves to think freely, fairly, and honestly. This is to think and act like men; ‘tis a privilege common to mankind; ‘tis the only way to promote the interests of truth and liberty in the world; and surely, none but slaves and lovers of dominion and darkness can be out of humor at it.“ - Benjamin Franklin =>With this quote Benjamin Franklin brings all his things he fight for together.

2. "Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody." - Benjamin Franklin => This quote means that nobody is perfect and that every body has its qualities, but nobody has them all.

3.  "It is the eye of other people that ruin us. If I were blind I would want, neither fine clothes, fine houses or fine furniture. " - Benjamin Franklin => Here he says that everybody attach to much importance on our appearance because every body want to be the best and the prettiest one.

1. Which important certificate signed Benjamin Franklin in 1776? 2. Which big invention do we have in every house today thank to Benjamin Franklin? 3. Who was one of his best friends?