Ask Dr. Franklin

When were you born?

I was born on January 17, 1706 in the British Colony of Boston, Massachusetts.

Did you have any brothers or sisters? 

I had 5 older sisters and two younger sisters along with 5 older brothers.

Who did you marry? 

I married Deborah Read Rogers in 1730

Did you have any children? 

Yes, I had two sons William and Francis Folger, and a daughter Sarah known as Sally. Unfortunately, Francis Folger died from Smallpox.

What do you like to eat?

I enjoyed cooking and eating boiled potatoes, rice, hasty pudding, bread and raisins. At 16, I became a vegetarian but on my voyage from Boston to Philadelphia, I ate fish.

What did you invent? 

I invented bifocals, the lightning rod, Glass Armonica, library chair, swim fins, the long reach device, Franklin Stove, catheter, and Daylight Savings Time.

What services did you establish? 

I started the first street lighting, paving, post office, fire company, insurance and the Library Company.

What jobs did you have? 

I was a printer and postmaster. I printed a newspaper called The Pennsylvania Gazette and an annual publication called Poor Richard’s Almanack.

When did you die? 

I died on April 17, 1790 at the age of the age of 84.

Where are you buried? 

In Christ Church cemetery in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Benjamin Franklin FAQ: courtesy The Franklin Institute Online, www.fi.edu.