BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1706-1790) Founding father, printer, political theorist, inventor, scientist and author. Steel engraving of Franklin. Smaller picture under portrait shows the signing of The Declaration of Independence. Smaller image above portrait shows two allegorical females adding Franklin's name to a plaque bearing the names of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson. Engraved by J.A. Duplessis and W.J. Edwards in 1856.