Story Highlights
- Historical event:
- 17 April 1790
- Benjamin Franklin was an American diplomat in France during the reign of the French king Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. He opened a printing office in the Paris suburb of Passy.
The American scientist, inventor and politician Benjamin Franklin died on this day in 1790. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin are certainly the most deserving people for the establishment of the United States of America.
Franklin spent much time in Europe shortly before the French Revolution, so his impact on the history of mankind is likely stronger than expected.
Franklin was a productive author, and published most of his works. He used several nicknames during his lifetime. Thus, he used the pseudonym Silence Dogood (at the age of 16) in his letters which were published as the Silence Dogood Letters. Later, he published the Poor Richard’s Almanack (the yearly almanac).
“Bonhomme Richard” is the French version named after his nickname (Poor Richard). Some American warships were also named after it – USS Bonhomme Richard (which was a warship in 1765), USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31), USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) aircraft carrier, and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) helicopter carrier which is still in use.
Benjamin Franklin was an American diplomat in France from 1776 to 1785. He lived in Paris, in the suburb of Passy (not far from the Eiffel Tower). Franklin lived in France for nine years, and opened a printing office in the mentioned suburb of Passy. Of course, the French king Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette ruled during that time. The famous Thomas Jefferson inherited his position in France.
Franklin lived to the age of 84. He died on this day in 1790, during the French Revolution. Franklin died in the city of Philadelphia, where he had spent most of his career (after all, the American Declaration of Independence was signed there).
