BY SHEILA WICKOUSKI

FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR

One document not on display at the National Archives' "Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World" exhibit is the great man's resume if indeed his career could be so capsulated. Rather a walk through the exhibit is a chance to get a sense of his many careers.

Franklin was, first of all, a printer. Serving from 1737 to 1776, as postmaster in Philadelphia and then for the 13 American colonies, Franklin was able to expand the range of his newspaper, The Philadelphia Gazette, along with Poor Richard's Almanack, by which his views on politics spread.

A well-known lover of books as well as a writer, Franklin's best-selling autobiography is still in print. He also formed the first public library in Philadelphia at a time when lending books was quite expensive.

The exhibit is not only rich with his books, letters and papers but has also integrated the various items of his daily life, his work place and his myriad interests.

As both a scientist, and a practical man, his curiosity and social compassion usually led Franklin from his lab experiments to creating products benefiting both himself and others. A prime example of how his ideas developed are his demonstration with a kite and key in a storm, that proved that thunderclouds are electrified and lightning is a large electric spark. He suggested grounded iron rods to protect houses from damage, went on to form the first fire department in Pennsylvania, and then founded the first home property insurance company.

By age 42, he had reached success with his business endeavors. The first half of his life had been that of a tradesman. The second half, as a gentleman of leisure, would be the more challenging, the uncharted career for which he is most noted: his many roles in the American Revolution.

The Archives exhibit includes the key documents connected with his career as political theorist, politician and diplomat, from the 1777 letters to the Continental Congress's Secret Correspondence Committee to the Treaty of Paris of 1783 ending the American Revolution.