Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston Massachusetts on January 17, 1706. Ben was the 15th child born to his parents, Josiah and Abiah. The family grew to 17 children, ten of which were sons. By the age of ten, after attending grammar school for a few years, Ben was sent to work with his father. At his father's soap and candle shop, his primary duties were cutting wicks and melting tallow. Though no longer in the classroom, Ben continued to read and learn. He read the books Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim's Progress and Plutarch's Lives. He taught himself algebra, geometry, natural and physical sciences, logic, grammar, navigation, and the languages of French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Latin.

When he became bored with the candle and soap making trade, Ben's father sent him to apprentice with his brother James, a printer. Ben enjoyed the work and soon became a skilled printer. Ben continued his reading and writing. He studied the British journal The Spectator to develop his own writing style. At this point, Ben wrote several articles and signed them "Mrs. Silence Dogood." Late at night, Ben would slide these articles under the door of his brother's shop. Upon arrriving in the morning, his brother James would read and often print these articles.

When James found out that the articles were authored by his own brother, he refused to print them. This decision caused a great quarrel between the brothers and Ben decided to run away to Philadelphia.