Benjamin Franklin

Franklin was born January 17 1706 at Boston. He was the tenth son of a soap and candlemaker. He received some formal education but was principally self-taught. After serving an apprenticeship to his father between the ages of 10 and 12, he went to work for his half-brother James, a printer. In 1723, because of dissension with his half-brother, Franklin moved to Philadelphia, where he obtained employment as a printer.

Arrived May 28 and was present through the signing of the Constitution. On June 28, when the Convention was in disarray, he suggested that "hence forth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business." He is also known for his Rising Sun speech delivered on September 17. William Pierce stated that "the very heavens obey him, and the Clouds yield up their Lighting to be imprisoned in his rod. But what claim he has to the politician, posterity must determine. … He is, however, a most extraordinary Man, and tells a story in a style more engaging than anything I ever heard."