The politician and inventor, American statesman and scientist. The inventor
of the lightning rod.
He worked as a printer at a young age. In 1724 he traveled to London to
perfect his craft. Returning to America in 1730 he began directing and editing
on their own the General Magazine and Poor Richard's Almanac (1732-1757). He
created several libraries and furthered his studies in the field of philosophy
and physics, with particular attention to electrical phenomena. He formulated a
theory of electrostatic and enunciated the principle of conservation of
electricity, devised the terms of positive and negative electricity, electrical
conductor and drums, among others.
He discovered the
electrical nature of atmospheric lightning and invented the lightning rod.
Postmaster of English America (1753-74), reorganized the sistem postcard. He
participated in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and
later was active horn ambassador to the conclusion of the treaty of alliance
with France His literary work consists almost exclusively of letters to
individuals. Even his scientific discoveries were reported to the World in
letters to his friends.
