Marissa+F.+-+CRD+-+SP11

Benjamin Franklin October 1787 Philadelphia, PA

"On the whole . . . I cannot help expressing a wish that every member of the Convention . . . would with me, on this occasion, doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to the instrument."

1. Federalist: stronger central government 2. Represents the state of Pennsylvania 3. Publisher, scientist, inventor, politician, philanthropist, and diplomat 4. At 81, he was the oldest delegate at the 1787 Constitutional Convention 5. Voted for and encouraged voting for the ratification of the Constitution; though he did not approve of several elements of the final document. 6. Friends include Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and George Washington.

Experience/Qualifications: Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts on 17 January 1706. The majority of his knowledge came from self-teaching and he began his reputable career as a printer, however left Boston in 1723 to begin a new life in Philadelphia. He served in Pennsylvania's colonial legislature (1736-1764) as both a delegate and elected clerk of the general assembly. He represented Pennsylvania in 1754 at the Albany Congress with the purpose to unite the colonies during the French and Indian War. Additionally, he was a member of the Continental Congress from 1775-1776 where he served on the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence. He worked as a minister to France from 177-1785, important to the success of the Revolutionary War effort. Finally, he served as the president of the Supreme Executive Council in Philadelphia from 1785-1788.

Occupations: Publisher, scientist, inventor, politician, philanthropist, and diplomat

Education: Principally self-taught. Honorary degrees for scientific contributions from both Harvard and Yale in 1753 and William and Mary in 1756.

Bibliography:

"Benjamin Franklin." //U.S. Army Center Of Military History//. Web. 10 Feb. 2011. . "Delegates to the Constitutional Convention: Benjamin Franklin." //TeachingAmericanHistory.org -- Free Seminars and Summer Institutes for Social Studies Teachers//. Web. 10 Feb. 2011. . Dudley, William. "Benjamin Franklin." //The Creation of the Constitution: Opposing Viewpoints//. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 1995. 187-90. Print.

"Federalists [ushistory.org]." //Ushistory.org//. Web. 10 Feb. 2011. .