American Icon Benjamin Franklin: The Hidden History
Written by Benjamin Franklin
Narrated by Geoffrey Giuliano
()
About this audiobook
“Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.”
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was an American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was also a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other great inventions. He founded many civic organizations, including the Library Company, Philadelphia's first fire department and the University of Pennsylvania. His colorful life and legacy of scientific and political achievement, and his status as one of America's most influential Founding Fathers, have seen Franklin honored more than two centuries after his death. This is his story in his own words.
GEOFFREY GIULIANO is the author of thirty two internationally best selling books published by the biggest publishers in the world from 1984 to today. He is also an acclaimed Hollywood film actor, director, designer, and is the voice on over 500 popular audiobooks.
Series producer Avalon Giuliano in New York
Produced by Alex Franchi in Milan
Edited and mixed by Macc Kay in Bangkok
ICON intern Eden Garret Giuliano
Music by Audionautix
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was an American writer, printer, politician, postmaster, scientist, and diplomat. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin found success at a young age as editor and printer of the Pennsylvania Gazette, a prominent Philadelphia newspaper. From 1732 to 1758, Franklin published Poor Richard’s Almanack, a popular yearly pamphlet that earned Franklin much of his wealth. An influential Philadelphian, Franklin founded the Academy and College of Philadelphia, which would become the University of Pennsylvania, in 1751. In addition, Franklin founded the Library Company of Philadelphia, as well as the city’s first fire department. As revolutionary sentiment was on the rise in the thirteen colonies, Franklin traveled to London to advocate on behalf of Americans unhappy with British rule, earning a reputation as a skilled diplomat and shrewd negotiator. During the American Revolution, his relationships with French officials would prove essential for the war effort, the success of which depended upon munitions shipments from France. Over the next few decades, he would serve as the first postmaster general of the United States and as governor of Pennsylvania while maintaining his diplomatic duties. A dedicated and innovative scientist, Franklin is credited with important discoveries regarding the nature of electricity, as well as with inventing the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove. A slaveowner for many years, Franklin eventually became an abolitionist. Although he failed to raise the issue during the 1787 Constitutional Convention, he led the Pennsylvania Abolitionist Society and wrote essays on the subject of slavery, which he deemed “an atrocious debasement of human nature.”
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