xvi Chronology of Benjamin Franklin 



1750. Elected to the Assembly of Pennsylvania and reelected annually 



for 14 years. 

 Appointed a Commissioner to make a treaty with the Indians. 



1751. His "Experiments and Observations on Electricity" was pub- 



lished in London. 

 Promoted the founding of the Pennsylvania Hospital. 



1752. Aided in establishing the first company in America, for insuring 



houses against loss by fire. 

 A French translation of his " Experiments and Observations on 



Electricity " was published at Paris. 

 Made his kite experiments in June and discharged electricity 



from the clouds. 



1753. Appointed Deputy Postmaster-General for the Colonies. 

 Recommended that lightning rods be placed on buildings to pre- 

 vent their being struck by lightning. 



The Royal Society awarded him the Copley Gold Medal, and 

 Louis XVI directed his thanks to be sent to him for his 

 useful discoveries in electricity. 

 '^^ Harvard and Yale Colleges conferred on him the degree of 

 Master of Arts. 



1754. Represented the Province of Pennsylvania at the Albany Con- 



gress held to devise means for the common defense. 



1755. Sent by the Pennsylvania Assembly to confer with General 



Braddock for the defense of the Pennsylvania frontier against 

 the French and Indians. 

 By request of the Governor took charge of the defense of the 

 frontier. 

 , 1756. Elected Fellow of the Royal Society, April 29. 



1757. Sent to England by the Assembly of Pennsylvania as their Agent 



to urge their rights. Sailed on June 5, with his son. 



1758. A German translation of his "Experiments on Electricity" 



was published at Leipzig. 

 1759- The University of St. Andrews conferred upon him the degree 

 of Doctor of Laws. 



