English physician, had discovered the circulation of the blood in
1628, and Newton, an English mathematician, the law of
gravitation in 1685.


If Franklin's desire to continue his scientific researches had
been gratified, it is possible that he might have discovered some
of the secrets for which the world waited until Edison and his
contemporaries revealed them more than a century later.
Franklin's scientific reputation has grown with the years, and
some of his views seem in perfect accord with the latest
developments in electricity. But he was not to be permitted to
continue his experiments. He had shown his ability to manage men
and was to be called to a wider field.

Franklin's influence among his fellow citizens in Philadelphia
was very great. Always ostensibly keeping himself in the
background and working through others, never contradicting, but
carrying his point by shrewd questions which showed the folly of
the contrary position, he continued to set on foot and carry out
movements for the public good. He established the first
circulating library in Philadelphia, and one of the first in the
country, and an academy which grew into the University of
Pennsylvania. He was instrumental in the foundation of a
hospital. "I am often ask'd by those to whom I propose
subscribing," said one of the doctors who had made fruitless
attempts to raise money for the hospital, "Have you consulted
Franklin upon this business?" Other public matters in which the
busy printer was engaged were the paving and cleaning of the
streets, better street lighting, the organization of a police