Benjamin Franklin

A picture probably when he was in his 60-70s (soul.org)

Benjamin Franklin, a statesman, printer, writer, and scientist, was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts. At age 17, he left for Philadelphia where, starting with no capital, he advanced rapidly. In 1730, he became the sole owner of a business that included the Pennsylvania Gazette. In 1732, he began making the annual Poor Richard’s Almanac. In 1727, he founded a discussion group called the Junta which helped established the first lending library in 1731. He had many other jobs later, but then he retired in 1748.

He made lots of popular inventions in his spare time, like the Franklin stove, lightning rod, and bifocal lens, and most of his experiments went into a book called Experiments and Observations on Electricity which brought him international recognition as a scientist.

In 1754, he represented Pennsylvania at the Albany Congress, called in because of the French and Indian Wars. In 1757 – 1775, he pursued diplomatic activities in England, getting permission for Pennsylvania to tax the estates of its proprietors, securing repeal of the Stamp Act, and representing the interests of several colonies. In 1776, he went to France to help put together treaties of commerce and alliance, which were signed in 1778. When he was popular there, he won financial aid for the American Revolution, and he helped put together a peace treaty with Great Britain, called the “Treaty of Paris” which was signed in Paris in 1783. He returned to America in 1785, and he was a "conciliating presence" at the later Constitutional Convention in 1787.

A picture probably when he was in his 70s-80s (biography.com)

Benjamin is a known historical hero. He did not boss people around, but he helped people using his great knowledge. He helped America out a lot, from inventions to gaining independence. He has affected many Americans of today, because he was one of those knowledgeable men of the Congress who helped America become a great country. In my opinion, he is the best example of a hero.