Student Name Professor`s Name History 8 February 2012 Biography of Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin is no doubt one of the greatest men in the history of America. He was a statesman, a father, an author, a scientist, a philosopher, a printer, an activist, a peacemaker, a postmaster, a musician, an inventor and a politician (“National Archives”). He is revered as one of the founding fathers of the United States due to his contribution towards the independence of our great nation. He is a man who preached water and drank the same water. In this research paper we look into his life, the characteristics that made him successful, and his contribution towards independence and why he is still relevant to today`s American society. Benjamin was born in Milk Street Boston as the tenth son of Josiah Franklin, a soap maker, on January 17, 1706. Josiah had a total of 17 children, which made it difficult for him to formally educate his young ones. Benjamin joined grammar school at eight years and later a clergyman school but did not stay for long. One year later his father ran out of money to pay the fees. He then attached him to his elder brother James, who was a printer (Franklin 21). At a tender age of twelve he was on the streets selling the prints. James was a strict man who would not allow his brother to write articles for his newspaper, The New England Courant (“Founders”).To go round this, Benjamin would write anonymous letters titled “Silence Dogood.” The let...