Benjamin Franklin
Printer, scientist, and founding father, Franklin joined St. John’s Lodge in Philadelphia in 1731, printed the first Masonic book in America, and served as Grand Master of Pennsylvania.
Printer, scientist, and founding father, Benjamin Franklin joined St. John’s Lodge in Philadelphia in 1731, printed the first Masonic book in America, and served as Grand Master of Pennsylvania.
Life & Masonic Timeline
January 17, 1706
Born
1718
Age 12
Apprenticed as a printer to his brother James Franklin
September 25, 1723
Age 17
Ran away to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
October 2, 1729
Age 23
Purchased and began publishing the Pennsylvania Gazette
September 1, 1730
Age 24
Entered common-law marriage with Deborah Read
February 1, 1731
Age 25
Initiated an Entered Apprentice — St. John's Lodge, Philadelphia
December 19, 1732
Age 26
Began publishing Poor Richard's Almanack
June 24, 1734
Age 28
Elected Grand Master of Pennsylvania Freemasons
December 7, 1736
Age 30
Founded the Union Fire Company (first volunteer fire department in America)
1752
Age 46
Invented the lightning rod
June 1, 1752
Age 46
Conducted famous kite experiment proving lightning is electricity
August 10, 1753
Age 47
Appointed Deputy Postmaster General for the Colonies
June 19, 1754
Age 48
Served as delegate to the Albany Congress
1757
Age 51
Represented Pennsylvania in London as colonial agent
May 10, 1775
Age 69
Appointed to the Second Continental Congress
July 4, 1776
Age 70
Signed the Declaration of Independence
December 21, 1776
Age 70
Arrived in France as American commissioner/diplomat
February 6, 1778
Age 72
Negotiated and signed Treaty of Alliance with France
September 3, 1783
Age 77
Signed the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War
May 25, 1787
Age 81
Served as delegate to the Constitutional Convention
September 17, 1787
Age 81
Signed the U.S. Constitution
April 17, 1790
Age 84
Died
Unknown
Passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft
Unknown
Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason
