Benjamin Franklin: The Man, the Myth, the Electricity Wizard
Benjamin Franklin, born in 1706, was a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. He was a scientist, an author, a statesman, and one of the founding fathers of the United States. But let’s be real, you’re not here to read about his accomplishments – you want to know about the juicy details that make him more interesting than your average powdered wig-wearing dude. Buckle up, folks, because we’re about to delve into the life of Benjamin Franklin – the man, the myth, the electricity wizard.
Early Life
Franklin was born in Boston, the youngest son of 17 children. That’s right, 17. We can only imagine what dinnertime was like at the Franklin household – probably a lot of elbowing and fighting over who got the last scrap of gruel. As a young boy, Franklin showed a keen interest in reading and writing, and he even went so far as to publish a newspaper at the ripe old age of 16. Clearly, he was the original teenage overachiever.
Science Guy
Franklin is probably best known for his experiments with electricity. He famously flew a kite during a thunderstorm to prove that lightning was a form of electricity. We’re not entirely sure why he thought it was a good idea to fly a kite in a thunderstorm, but hey – who are we to judge? He also invented the lightning rod, which is basically a metal pole that attracts lightning and sends it safely to the ground. We’re not sure how he came up with this invention, but we’re pretty sure it involved a lot of trial and error and possibly some singed eyebrows.
Diplomat and Politician
Franklin was a key figure in the American Revolution and helped draft the Declaration of Independence. He was known for his wit and charm, and his charming personality is probably what landed him a job as a diplomat in France. He was sent to Paris to negotiate with the French king and try to convince him to send money and troops to help the Americans in their fight against the British. We’re not sure what kind of persuasive tactics Franklin used, but we’re betting he didn’t just rely on his diplomatic skills – we’re pretty sure he also busted out some of his famous one-liners and dad jokes.
Personal Life
Despite his busy schedule, Franklin still managed to find time for romance. He was married to his wife, Deborah, for over 40 years, but he also had a bit of a reputation as a ladies’ man. He once wrote a letter to a friend where he listed the reasons why older women make better lovers than younger women. We’re not going to repeat his reasons here, but let’s just say they were…interesting.
Final Years
Franklin died in 1790 at the age of 84. He was a beloved figure in America and his funeral was attended by thousands of people. His legacy lives on to this day, and he’s remembered as a brilliant scientist, a skilled politician, and a total ladies’ man. We may never know what really went on inside the mind of Benjamin Franklin, but one thing’s for sure – he definitely knew how to have a good time.