Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is a particularly fitting person after whom to name the Franklin Resources Group, L.L.C. Franklin was both a “thinker” and a “doer,” becoming a colonial leader in philanthropic, scientific and political affairs at an early age. As an elected official, Franklin initiated the first colonial projects for road paving, city police forces, and circulating libraries. As a publisher and writer, he was both prolific and influential; his Poor Richard’s Almanack, with its pithy, homespun wit and wisdom, profoundly shaped the thought of the common man, while his serious writings, including his Cool Thoughts on the Present Situation of Our Public Affairs, increased his prestige among the leaders of the day.

History tells us Franklin was possibly our country’s first lobbyist. In the early role, he attempted to secure certain colonial governmental changes for the clients he represented – Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Georgia, and New Jersey – before the British government of the day.

Franklin did it all. He invented more efficient wood burning stoves; he negotiated important treaties; he helped draft the Declaration of Independence and signed both it and the US Constitution. Agent, ambassador, scientist, inventor, and communicator – Benjamin Franklin could have earned his place in history with any one of these accomplishments. And while his most notable service to his country was the result of his great skill in diplomacy, he rose above his peers by joining the qualities of common sense, wisdom, wit and industry with great firmness of purpose, matchless tact and broad tolerance.