Benjamin Franklin

The Capricorn sign of the Western Zodiac

Born: 17 January 1706 Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts Death: 17 April 1790 (pleurisy and old age) Best Known As: America's most lovable founding father Franklin is perhaps the single most multi-talented figure in American history. His accomplishments are too varied to fully describe here; they include signing the Declaration of Independence, publishing the famous Poor Richard's Almanac, serving as postmaster of Philadelphia, founding the first American fire insurance company, living in Paris as American ambassador to France, and inventing useful objects like the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, and bifocal glasses. Franklin also coined dozens of popular sayings, including "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."