The city was also a center of culture and learning, and it was home to a number of schools, libraries, and other institutions. Franklin himself was a major contributor to the city's cultural life, and he helped to found the Philadelphia Library Company and the University of Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia was a growing and prosperous city when Franklin arrived, and it was a place where he could make a name for himself. He quickly became involved in the city's political and social life, and he went on to become one of the most important figures in American history.