The Quiz: Which founding father also served as the first postmaster general?
Benjamin Franklin
John Adams
John Jay
Alexander Hamilton
On July 26, 1775, the Continental Congress appointed Franklin the first postmaster general of what would become the U.S. Postal Service. He occupied the position for a little over a year before leaving for France to secure that country’s support in the American Revolution. According to the USPS, he received an annual salary of $1,000 during his tenure. His successors in the role included Richard Bache, Ebenezer Hazard, and Samuel Osgood — the latter of whom was the first postmaster general under President George Washington.
The correct answer to this quiz is Benjamin Franklin.