Benjamin Franklin was an American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a <em>major figure in the American Enlightenment </em>and the history of physics for his discoveries and <em><u>theories regarding electricity</u></em>. As an inventor, he is known for the <em>lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove</em>, among other inventions. He founded many civic organizations, including the<u> Library Company</u>, <u>Philadelphia's first fire department</u> and the <u>University of Pennsylvania.</u>