Benjamin Franklin By white3rd Jan 17, 1706 Ben was born in Boston, MA May 3, 1716 Ben worked in his fathers candle shop Mar 14, 1718 he became an apprentice for his brother James, a printer. Nov 22, 1723 he ran away to philadelphia Apr 6, 1730 he married Deborah Read. Jun 8, 1740 he helped start a school that became the University of Pennsylvania. Mar 6, 1752 he proved that lightning was a form of electricity. May 8, 1776 he helped Thomas Jefferson write the Decloration of Independence. Apr 6, 1787 he sined the United States Constitution. Sep 18, 1790 Ben died.