Most students are familiar with the stories of Benjamin Franklin as the man who flew a kite with a metal key attached in a lightning storm or as the author of Poor Richard's Almanack, but few know the extensive influence this Founding Father had on the creation of the United States. As a noted author, inventor, scientist, and politician, Benjamin Franklin was a key figure in the founding of the United States. From editing the Declaration of Independence to achieving an alliance with France during the Revolutionary War, Franklin's accomplishments and contributions are such that he has been called the only president of the United States who was never elected president of the United States. In this fascinating biography, readers will explore Benjamin Franklin's long, adventurous life through vivid images, extensive reference tools, and engaging text.