Dean Ellis (American, 1920 - 2009) "Benjamin Franklin" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original which was published on the Fleetwood Commemorative Cover for The Shapers of America series issued in 1987. Benjamin Franklin may have been the first true American -- and the most representative, particularly of our more amiable and familiar characteristics. He was the first to use the "American" language as in Poor Richard's Almanac and his Autobiography. He was clearly the first Ameridan journalist and humorist. He was the leading American educator; founder of public libraries, the American Philosophical Society, and of the College of Philadelphia -- which later became the University of Pennsylvania -- and he championed a practical AMerican education. He was the leading American scientist of his day, and was gladly welcomed to the most prestigious European Academies where he was always "Doctor Franklin." He was also the first Americian politician-statesman, and has some claim to being the leading statesman of his generation. His Albany Plan of Union (1754) foreshadowed American Federalism; he helped draft and sign the Articles of Confederation; he presided over the Constitution Convention, and he also represented the United States, in both London and Paris. Above all, Franklin was an irrepressible do-gooder: He could not look at a stove without planning a better stove ... or a school ... or the postal service ... or a Constitution; in all these matters he took the lead. It has been said "he wrestled the lightning from the skies and hurled tyrants from their thrones." Image Size: 18 x 21 in. Overall Size: 24 x 27 in. Unframed. (B10403)