Benjamin Franklin led an influential life. He was a master of creation. He was a literary genius. He also became president. His inventions are still used today and everyone loves them. Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1706. He was the tenth child of Josiah Franklin and Abiah (Folger). Franklin's father was a soap and candle maker. Benjamin's father had hoped that Benjamin would enter the clergy, but he could not afford for his son to go to school for many years. His love of knowledge made him a great reader, so he read everything he could get his hands on. Franklin worked with his father until he was 12 years old. Then the father decided that Benjamin should become an apprentice to his brother James, James was a printer. Benjamin and his brother James made up pamphlets and type, and Benjamin sold their things on the streets. At the age of 15 Benjamin's brother James founded his own newspaper "Courant", which included reprinted articles from Europe, advertisements and ship timetables. He would have loved to write on his own but his brother James wouldn't let him, he was his apprentice. So Benjamin began secretly writing letters at night and signing them “Silent Dogwood”. People thought Dogwood was a middle-aged widow who was funny and had smart things to say. After writing 16 letters Benjamin finally admitted that he had written all the letters. James was very jealous of all the attention Benjamin received from people. James began verbally and physically abusing Benjamin. Benjamin decided he had enough of James and ran away. Benjamin went to New York looking for work but couldn't find anything. He also went to New Jersey but didn't get a job until... halfway through... as President of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention. Franklin traveled to France as a diplomat to the Court of Louis XVI. The French loved Franklin, he even spoke French. In 1778 France signed the Treaty of Alliance due to Benjamin's popularity. Franklin along with John Jay and John Adams negotiated the Treaty of Paris. He also secured loans and was present at the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Benjamin Franklin, in his seventies, became president of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and signed the Constitution. In 1789 he also wrote a Treatise against slavery. Benjamin Franklin died on April 17, 1790 at the age of 84. 20,000 people showed up at his funeral. Benjamin Franklin dedicated his life to helping and serving people. It was one of America's greatest assets.