Annotation
Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United states. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor,civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enligtenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lighting rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other invention. He facilitated many civic organizations, including philadelphia's fire department and a university. Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity; as an author and spokesman in london for several colonies, then as the first United Sates Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation. Franklin was foundational in defining the american ethos as a marriage of the pratical values of thrift, hard wor, education,community spirit,self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the secientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment.
