Benjamin Franklin FRS, FRSE ( April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was a renowned polymath and a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He facilitated many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department and the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League institution. 

Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity, initially as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies. As the first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation. Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment without its heat." To Walter Isaacson, this makes Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."
Who is this article about?
When was he born?
What school did he help create?
Was he an inventor?
How many inventions are mentioned?
What are they?
What job did he do in London?
For what organizations?
Was he a printer?
How many historians are quoted?
Who are they?
What kind of science experiments did he do?
What were his theories about?
He was ambassador to which country?
What title did he get in London?
Why?
What practical values were part of the American ethos?
What Philadelphia city organization did he help found?
Was he a Founding Father?
And a freemason?
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin FRS, FRSE ( April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. 
April 17, 1790
Benjamin Franklin FRS, FRSE ( April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers
University of Pennsylvania
He facilitated many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department and the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League institution
yes
As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod,
three
As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions.
lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove
 As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, 
spokesman
nitially as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies. 
for several colonies
and spokesman in London for several colonies
yes
Franklin was a renowned polymath and a leading author, printer
two
 In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment without its heat." To Walter Isaacson, this makes Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."
Henry Steele Commager and Walter Isaacson
Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment without its heat." To Walter Isaacson
physics
As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity.
electricity
discoveries and theories regarding electricity
France
As the first United States Ambassador to France
"The First American"
Franklin earned the title of "The First American"
for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity,
Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity, initially as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies
a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious
American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious,
fire department
He facilitated many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department 
yes
Benjamin Franklin FRS, FRSE ( April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers 
yes
Franklin was a renowned polymath and a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason,