Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790)
Born in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1723 he moved to Philadelphia where by 1730 he had become sole owner of a successful business. In 1757-1762/1764-1775 he worked as a diplomat in England, helped negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain to be signed in 1783. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Published Poor Richard's Almanac, The Way to Wealth, The Autobiography.
About this time I met with an odd volume of the Spectator. It was the third. I had never before seen any of them. I bought it, read it over and over, and was much delighted with it. I thought the writing excellent, and wished, if possible, to imitate it.
