Ten things you ought to know about old Ben
Long before America’s colonies unified into an independent nation, Benjamin Franklin was highly regarded as a scientist, inventor, diplomat, politician, educator, librarian, writer, and publisher. In no area of life did Franklin fail to exhibit extraordinary interest, from medicine and music, to science and philosophy, to technology and satire. Early in life, he emerged as colonial America’s smartest, most versatile citizen. As early as 1762, Oxford University was recognizing his talents and achievements with an honorary doctorate. Almost immediately, despite his limited formal education, he became known throughout Europe as “Dr. Franklin.” Among highlights of Dr. Franklin’s wide-ranging career:
