Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), American statesman; signer of the Declaration of Independence

Sitter in 7 portraits
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin's achievements as a statesman, diplomat and writer influenced the outcome of the American War of Independence (1775-83). He is recognised as Foundling Father of the United States of America, being the only person to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Peace Treaty in 1783 and the United States Constitution in 1787. The study of electricity was also a particular interest and he published Experiments and Observations on Electricity in 1751