What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

Why This Matters

This question asks what one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for. The accepted answers include: U.S. diplomat, oldest member of the Constitutional Convention, first Postmaster General of the United States, writer of "Poor Richard's Almanac," or started the first free libraries. You only need to give one answer.

Benjamin Franklin was one of the most talented and versatile people in American history. He was born in Boston in 1706 and had very little formal schooling, but he educated himself through reading and hard work. He became a successful printer and writer, publishing "Poor Richard's Almanac," which was full of clever sayings and practical advice. Many of his famous quotes, like "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise," are still repeated today.

Franklin was also a scientist and inventor. He conducted experiments with electricity, invented the lightning rod, and created bifocal glasses. But for the USCIS test, his political achievements matter most. He served as a U.S. diplomat in France, where he helped convince the French to support America during the Revolutionary War. He was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 at age eighty-one. He was also the first Postmaster General, organizing the mail system for the new country. Franklin started some of America's first free lending libraries, believing that knowledge should be available to everyone. He truly helped build America in many different ways.

Key Facts

• Franklin was a U.S. diplomat who helped gain French support during the Revolution
• He was the oldest member of the Constitutional Convention at age eighty-one
• He served as the first Postmaster General of the United States
• He wrote "Poor Richard's Almanac," a popular book of wisdom and advice
• He started the first free libraries in America

Common Mistakes

• Saying "He was President", Franklin was never President of the United States
• Saying "He discovered electricity", he did experiments with electricity but did not discover it; also, this is not one of the USCIS accepted answers
• Confusing Franklin with other Founding Fathers, he did not write the Declaration (Jefferson did) or the Constitution (Madison is credited)

Study Tip

Pick the one achievement that is easiest for you to remember. Many people choose "first Postmaster General" because it is unique, no other Founding Father held that title. Or think of Franklin as the "oldest and wisest", he was the oldest at the Constitutional Convention. Choose one fact and stick with it.