CHRONOLOGY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. 



1706. Born at Boston, January 17 (old style, January 6). 



1 71 8. Apprenticed, as a printer, to his brother James. 



1723. Migrated to Philadelphia in October. ^ 



1724. Arrived in England on December 24, to get a printer's outfit. 

 1726. Left England, on July 23, to return to America, and arrived 



at Philadelphia, October 11. 



1728. Formed a partnership in the printing business with Hugh 



Meredith. 



1729. Purchased the "Pennsylvania Gazette." 



1730. Appointed Public Printer by the Pennsylvania Assembly. 

 Married Deborah Reed, in September. 



1 73 1. Founded the Library Company of Philadelphia. 



1732. Began the publication of Poor Richard's Almanac. 



Elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free Masons. 



1736. Chosen Clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly. 

 Organized the first fire company in Philadelphia. 



1737. Appointed Postmaster at Philadelphia. 



1 74 1. Established a printing office in New York, in partnership with 



James Parker. 



1742. Invented the Franklirt Open Stove. 



1743. Founded the American Philosophical Society and served as its 



Secretary. 

 1745. Began his experiments in electricity. 



1747. Propounded his theory of electricity. 



1748. Chosen a member of the City Council of Philadelphia. 



1749. Retired from active business as a printer. 

 Established the identity of lightning and electricity. 

 Published his " Proposals relating to the education of youth in 



Pensilvania " which led to the formation of the University 

 of Pennsylvania. 



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