Answer: D - U.S. diplomat.
Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and wore many hats during his lifetime: printer, author, postmaster, scientist, and diplomat, to name just a few. Although he had little formal education, Franklin was a highly curious individual who taught himself through reading and experience.
In terms of his scientific contributions, Franklin is perhaps best known for his experiments with electricity, most famously his kite experiment to prove that lightning is a form of electricity. He also invented many practical items that are still in use today, like bifocal glasses and the lightning rod.
However, Franklin was not just a man of science. He played a significant role in American history, particularly as a statesman. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. As a diplomat, Franklin was instrumental in securing French support during the American Revolutionary War, which was crucial for the American victory over Great Britain.
He also served as the first Postmaster General of the United States and was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention. Franklin passed away on April 17, 1790, in Philadelphia, but his legacy as a polymath and a pivotal figure in American history endures to this day.