Few people can stand for the spirit of early America as much as Benjamin Franklin. He lived through almost the whole of the 18th century: he was born 6 years after the century began and died 10 years before it ended. During this time, (1)____________________, and he also contributed much to the new state. He was deeply interested in science and natural history and his experiments with electricity and lighting led directly to the invention of lightening rod. (2)________________________. He was involved in a number of projects in his native Philadelphia, including the setting up of a library, a university, a philosophical society and a fire prevention service. (3)_____________________. As ambassador to France, he encouraged the French to help George Washington. After the war, he attended the American constitutional congress. This was his last contribution for he died later that year. He is still fondly remembered by Americans as one of the creators of the United States.
