Western Culture Global Presents The Top 100 Heroes of Western Culture These individuals have most contributed to replacing ignorance with knowledge, savagery with civilization, disease with health, tyranny with liberty, poverty with abundance, and despair with happiness. #16: Benjamin Franklin (1706 –1790) Benjamin Franklin (1706 –1790) was an important Founding Father of the United States and is often considered to be the “first American.” He was a leading author, political theorist, politician, printer, scientist, inventor and diplomat. As a scientist he was a major figure in the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. And many of his inventions, such as bifocals, are still commonly used today. As a political writer and activist he, more than anyone, invented the idea of an American nation by urging colonial unity. And as a diplomat during the American Revolution, he secured the French alliance that helped to defeat England and make independence possible. Franklin was a true man of the Enlightenment: He embraced reason, science and individual rights, successfully worked for their advancement and security, and lived with passionate intensity. Go to #17: Kepler Top 100 Western Culture Heroes — Home Top 100 Western Culture Heroes — by Numerical Order Top 100 Western Culture Heroes — by Century Top 100 Western Culture Heroes — by Category
			Home | Knowledge Center | Top 100 Western Culture Heroes | Projects | About Us | Contact © 2009 Western Culture Global