Ben Franklin and Frederick Douglass

Ben Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706, to Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger. He was the last of thirteen children. At the age of twelve, Ben became an apprentice in a print shop owned by his brother James. This opportunity opened many doors for him.

Ben abandoned his apprenticeship and his family for a new life in Philadelphia. There, Ben found employment at Samuel Keimer's print shop and lived at a local boarding house. In 1729, Ben bought Samuel's shares of the print shop and took over the Pennsylvania Gazette. In 1732, Ben ...