Benjamin Franklin Timeline By jameza10 1706 Benjamin Franklin is born in Boston. 1718 Becomes an apprentice at his brothers shop 1722 Begins writing for the "New England Courant" 1723 Arrives in Philadelphia 1727 Organizes the Junto 1728 Sets up his own printing business 1729 Publishes the Pennsylvania Gazette 1730 Marries Deborah Read 1737 Becomes postmaster of Philadelphia 1741 Invents the Franklin Stove 1747 Retires from business 1752 Performs famous kite experiment 1775 Returns to Philadelphia appointed first United States Postmaster General 1776 Helps draft the Declaration of Independence, travels to France as ambassador for the United States 1790 Dies from a pleuritic attack in Philadelphia.