By The Epoch Times | Created at 2026-06-10 11:20:24 | Updated at 2026-06-12 14:07:00
2 days ago
A 19th-century print based on Poor Richard's Almanack, showing the author surrounded by 19 illustrations of many of his best-known sayings. The original print showed 24. Library of Congress. Public Domain
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.
