The Franklin National Memorial

Benjamin Franklin wrote that to avoid being forgotten, one should either write things worth reading or do things worth writing, and over the course of his life he did both. He was a successful businessman, scientist, inventor, printer, whiter, humorist and philosopher, and he also led a long and active political life. As one of the country’s founding fathers, he helped draft the Declaration of Independence and signed the Constitution at the age of 81. Born in Boston, Franklin ran away to Philadelphia at age 17, and except for a few extended stays in Europe, he lived there for the rest of his life. He created Philadelphia's first library and first fire company, and helped found Pennsylvania Hospital, the first hospital in the colonies.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · United States