Benjamin Franklin's early life was the foundation for the rest of his life; all of his later accomplishments were built on what he did over this time period. Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. After 2 years of schooling, the young Mr. Franklin was expected to work at his father Josiah’s soap and candle making shop. Benjamin refused and when he was 12 years old, he took an apprenticeship under his older …show more content…
Most of his many accomplishments were achieved during this period. After returning from London, Mr. Franklin started his own printing business at age 24, the same year he married Deborah Read. He began printing a newspaper called the Pennsylvania Gazette and it soon became the leading paper in Pennsylvania. Mr. Franklin started publishing “Poor Richard’s Almanac” in 1733. This helpful book made him wealthy enough that he was able to retire at age 42. Mr. Franklin, inspired by the very popular electricity magicians, started conducting experiments with electricity. One of these involved a kite and lightning and proved that lightning was a form of electricity. Benjamin Franklin invented the Franklin stove and the lightning rod. Mr. Franklin and the Junto, a club he started, made several improvements to the city of Philadelphia. These improvements included the first plans to sweep and light Philadelphia's streets, as well as founding the city’s first firefighting company, first hospital, and first collage. He was also elected to the Pennsylvania assembly in