Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) has been called the “First American” for his impressive variety of skills and talents, his developments in many colonial industries, and his role in the founding of the new democracy.
In his day, Franklin’s claim to fame was the influence he had on his community through his pen, though it was written under a different name. He was a printer by trade and read voraciously. This inspired him to write books and pamphlets or essays to educate, amuse, and enlighten his fellow citizens.
Benjamin Franklin by Constantino Brumidi (circa 1873). U.S. Capitol. (Public Domain)
His most famous written work is “Poor Richard’s Almanack” (almanac). Franklin published the annual journals continuously for 26 years in the later years of America’s time as a British colony….