Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. His father, Josiah Franklin, was married twice. Between both of Josiah's marriages, he fathered 17 children.
Ben's schooling ended at age ten and at age 12 he became an apprentice to his brother James, a printer who published the New England Courant. Benjamin wanted to write for the paper too, but he knew that James would never let him because, Benjamin was just an apprentice. So Ben began writing letters at night and signing them with the name of a fictional widow, Silence Dogood. These letters offered advice and were very critical of the world and of how women were treated. Ben would sneak the letters under the print shop door at night so no one knew who was writing the pieces. After he had written over a dozen letters, he admitted to his brother that he had been the one writing them.
At the age of 17, Franklin ran away to Philadelphia, seeking a new start in a new city. He worked at a printing house. By 1730, Franklin......
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