Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts.  He was the tenth son of soap maker Josiah Franklin. His mother was Abiah Folger, she was the second wife of Josiah. All together there were 17 children in the Franklin family. When Benjamin turned 15 he first started helping his brother with the newspaper The New England Courant.
           In 1728, Benjamin had a child named William. William's mother died. In 1730 Benjamin married Deborah Read, as children they grew up together. Together they had zero children (other than William which they raised together).
       Franklin accomplished many things in his lifetime, some of them included him being a scientist, publisher, and a statesman.  He also signed the Declaration of   Independence in 1776 and the Treaty of Alliance with France in 1778.  He was the only founding father who signed all 5 documents that established American Independence.