Place Name
Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, an American president and the man who brought the world such pearls of wisdom such as “He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals”; “He that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas”; and “Don’t throw stones at your neighbours, if your own windows are glass.” However, it is in his role as a scientist – or natural philosopher that he is commemorated here. For he was man who first proved that lightning was an electric charge and subsequently invented the lightning rod to protect people’s homes from been burned down when hit by a strike. Like the other streets nearby this one was laid out over the site of the old Croydon B power station, in Valley Park Croydon where the roads have a connection with the development of electricity. The others include: Ampere Way, Faraday Way, Franklin Way, Kelvin Gardens, and Volta Way.
