Benjamin Franklin (b. January 5/17, 1706 - d. April 17, 1790) was an American statesman and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts and died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His face adorns the $100 bill.