Discovery Channel's Greatest American # 5: Benjamin Franklin

More than just an almanac writer.

Ben Franklin is in many ways the true father of our country, not least of which because he had so many children.

While Washington established American dignity, Franklin cemented American character in manifest ways. Quick to laugh, innovative, intolerant of bureaucracy, driven, practical, a true bon vivant, Franklin is quintessentially American.

He also displayed utter devotion to the American cause by letting his own son rot on a British prisoner ship rather than accept his pardon. This led to a fracture in their relationship which long endured, and for which both men paid a terrible personal price.

Ben Franklin, the American da Vinci.