影响深远的英美思想家->Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin(January 17,1706-April 17,1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a wise and clever potical leader, writer and printer, and a scientist who invented many things.As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment(启蒙运动) and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He invented the lightning rod(避雷针), bifocals(双焦点眼镜),the Franklin stove(富兰克林炉),a carriage odometer(车架里程表), and the glass “armonica”(玻璃琴).He facilitated many civic organizations,including a fire department and a university.
Franklin helped to write the Declaration of Independence,which he signed, and later the American Constitution. In 1776 he went to France and persuaded the French to send money and military forces for the American Revolution. Franklin, always proud of his working class roots, became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia(费城). He also published Poor Richards Almanach(穷查理年历)(1732-1757) and The Pennsylvania Gazette.Franklin gained international renown as a scientist for his famous experiments in electricity and for his many inventions, especially the lightning rod. He played a major role in establishing the University of Pennsylvania and was elected the first president of the American Philosophical Society. Franklin became a national hero in America when he spearheaded the effort to have Parliament repeal the unpopular Stamp Act.For many years he was the British postmaster for the colonies, which enabled him to set up the first national communications network. He was active in community affairs, colonial and state politics, as well as national and international affairs, colonial and state politics, as well as national and international affairs. From 1785 to 1788, he served as governor of Pennsylvania. Toward the end of his life, he freed his slaves and became one of the most prominent abolitionists(废奴主义者).