Date of Birth: January 17, 1706
Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts Bay, British America
Date of Death: April 17, 1790
Place of Death: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Ethnicity: English
Benjamin Franklin was a Founding Father of the United States. He was a renowned polymath, a leading author, civic activist, scientist, inventor, freemason, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity.
Benjamin was the youngest son of Abiah (Folger) and Josiah E. Franklin. Josiah was born in Ecton, Northamptonshire, England. Abiah was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts, to English parents.
Franklin’s paternal grandparents were Thomas Franklin (the son of Henry Franckline/Franklin and Agnes Joanes/James) and Jane White (the daughter of Thomas White and Jane). Benjamin’s grandparents Thomas and Jane were both born in England.
Franklin’s maternal grandparents were Peter Folger (the son of John Folger, Jr. and Meribah Gibbs) and Mary Morrill (the daughter of Abraham Morrill and Abigail Powell). Benjamin’s grandparents Peter and Mary were both born in England, Peter in Norwich, Norfolk and Mary in Fowey, Cornwall.
Sources: Genealogies of Benjamin Franklin – http://www.geni.com
http://www.wikitree.com