his own works and books by others; he founded and published newspapers.
Unlike many other colonial leaders, Franklin was egalitarian, tolerant, believed strongly in democracy, and was a rabid opponent of slavery, long before such ideas were common or acceptable in most social circles. Franklin also had an almost religious belief in the value of the written word.
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. After attending school for a brief period, he went to work full time. He hated his first job, making candles and soap. He then became a printer's apprentice to his brother James.
The brothers did not get along, however, and Ben, almost penniless, ran away to Philadelphia. Fortunately, he quickly got a job as a printer and did very well in that work.
In 1727 he established the Junto, a club for young men devoted to the discussion of natural philosophy, politics, and morals. He also published a newspaper called The Pennsylvania Gazette, and began Poor Richard's Almanac, which contained common sense and witty sayings and quickly gained a large circulation.
Franklin undertook important missions for the colonies. He made several trips to England on behalf of the colonies during which he tried to reconcile the differences between the British and the Americans. When it became evident that reconciliation was impossible, Franklin served as a member of the committee drafting the Declaration of Independence.
He then traveled to France to negotiate a treaty with the French who assisted the colonies in their fight against the British. Fluent in French and very interested In French culture, he became immensely popular there. After the colonies won theft Independence in 1783, he served as United States minister to France. During his years serving as an America, representative in England and France, Franklin socialized with a number of writers and scholars, some of whom he had admired and who had admired him. He met David Hume, James Boswell, La Rochefoucauld, and Voltaire.
Franklin also achieved fame for his invention of many useful objects, including the Franklin Stove, bifocal glasses, the lightning rod, and a device for removing books from high shelves. He never received any profit from his inventions. Ben Franklin bas always been an inspiration and role model for generations of Americans. From humble beginnings he became a great man. No matter how famous he became, however, he always retained his sense of humor and his love of mankind, and his love of philosophy, books, and reading.
Which of the following roles didn't Benjamin Franklin play？

A politician
B. An inventor
C. A writer
D. A president