On this day in history, Jan. 17, 1706, Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father, born in Boston

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on this day in history, Jan. 17, 1706. He achieved fame in Philadelphia and won the acclaim of London society but surrendered it for love of homeland.

"If a 20th-century photographer had managed to commandeer a time machine and travel back to record the historic scenes of the revolutionary era, Franklin would have been present in almost every picture," Joseph Ellis wrote in his Pulitzer Prize-winning 2000 history, "Founding Brothers." Franklin was born to humble means: He was the 15th of 17 children fathered by candlemaker Josiah Franklin over two marriages.  Franklin was "embraced by a British aristocracy enthralled by science." — Smithsonian Magazine Franklin chose love of homeland over acclaim of British society and patriotism over fame and ease.  "His clothing was as clean as it was plain. Though he and others say he was hesitant in speech, he was prompt in action." Kerry J. Byrne is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

Ellis listed the momentous events in America's creation forged by Franklin.