Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706 to Abiah Folger and Josiah Franklin. His father intended for Ben to enter in the clergy, but being one of ten children, his father could not afford to send him to more than one year of schooling. Though unfortunate, Benjamin continued to develop his writing and reading skills by his apprenticeship …show more content…
He shaped American history because his achievements were unprecedented. Franklin was the mind behind America’s first public library, first national newspaper, and first non-religious college. Serving as a founding father, he helped build America from the ground up, from the rubble and difficulties that led to independence to the formation of American government. His confidence in American growth and strength led to significant political and scientific breakthroughs that still continue to be used in modern times. Though he may not have been recognized widely at the time, his diligence to succeed outweighed any impediments that he may have faced. His intellectual mind strived to understand every aspect of the world around him, and the contributions he made were limitless. Without the basic steps of experimentation about electricity and the diplomatic maneuvers Franklin conducted in order to negotiate treaties, it is impossible to imagine such a developed country and globally connected