Benjamin Franklin started a successful printing business in Philadelphia and eventually grew wealthy; franklin was involved in public affairs then launched a lending library, hospital, college and took account for his experiments with electricity. During the time of the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin served in the continental congress.…
Wood presents important supporting evidence that Franklin is more complex than his stereotype. In his book, Wood follows two broad courses, from Franklin’s difficult progress from an English supporter, to becoming a more committed American. In chapter one, "Becoming a Gentlemen," Wood lists events chronologically that were a result of Franklin's…
Though his hard work and expanding thirst for knowledge helped him grow successful in his works, he had an extreme thirst for public approval. In 1732, he used his connection to the printing industry to publish the first version of his Almanack. Franklin’s Almanack consisted of annual public news but also of ideal household ways to live and hints to becoming a better being. These small hints over time would couple together to form what Franklin saw as a desirable and acceptable piece of society and result in personal gains and betterment. Franklin felt that “Human Felicity is produc’d not so much by great Pieces of good Fortune that seldom happen, as by little Advantages that occur every Day. Thus if you teach a poor young Man to shave himself and keep his Razor in order, you may contribute more to the Happiness of his Life than in giving him 1000 Guineas (Franklin, 133).” These “little advantages” that Franklin was giving to the common people of society served as his feeling of having dependents and gave him credibility to the public of British North…
What we read in class of Ben Franklin's writing showed a new concept called rationalism. His ideas were about how self-improvement is reflected in a rationalist’s beliefs. There were virtues that he believed were important for how a person should live their lives,…
“The Autobiography” establishes in literary form the first example of the fulfillment of the American Dream. He writes of the possibilities of life in America through his own rise from the lower middle class as a youth to one of the most admired men in the world as an adult. Furthermore, he states that he achieved his success through a solid work ethic. For instance he writes, “It was about this time that I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection” (Franklin 307). He wants have that American dream, so he comes up with the thirteen virtues to help him. He proved that even undistinguished people can, through industry, become great figures of importance in America in his writings. His “The Autobiography” also reflects idealism. He somewhat writes of intellectual flourishment and political thought and during part two, he is trying to live them out. According to Betsy Erkkila, “while the Revolution is not present as part of the manifest content of Franklin's narrative, it is present as the political or narrative unconscious of Franklin's "Life"--as a scene of social crisis, bloody contest, and challenge to traditional structures of authority in family, society, church, and state” (Erkkila). This meaning that even though it wasn’t spoke of directly, the revolution was desired by Franklin so others could have the American dream and achieve as he…
Before starting this project, we were learning about a time in America’s history when the Patriots came together to strive for the freedom and growth of their country, later known as the Revolutionary War. The Patriots were the brave citizens of the thirteen colonies who fought for America’s freedom from the rule of the British. Many people showed the best of their ability and rose up to be leaders, diplomats, politicians, and more. However, one person in particular laid down the foundation of America and played a key role in the war. This was none other than Benjamin Franklin. Mr. Franklin caught our eye through his many achievements, like the French Alliance of 1778, drafting the Declaration of Independence, and signing all four key documents of America’s development..…
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing yourself to fail” one of the many famous quotes from Benjamin Franklin. One of our founding fathers, the man on the one-hundred-dollar bill. Ben was known as an author, doplomat, postmaster, scientist, even an inventor, and many other important titles. During Benjamin’s 84 years, he had many accomplishments and inventions. Many have even called him the President of the United States who was never elected as the U.S President.…
The title sets the tone and style for Jean-Jaques Rousseau autobiography. Confessions strays away from the Enlightenment movement and discusses different aspects of human beings. Unlike Benjamin’s Franklin’s autobiography, Confessions embraces humility and embarrassment. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is more didactic, emphasizes the importance of learning how to write, read, and speak well. There are natural laws emplaced and systems that should be followed, but Confessions disrupts the ideas of the Enlightenment movement and ignites the start of romanticism.…
Although his printing career was successful, he had many other accomplishments that make him one of the most influential Founding Fathers in America. A major accomplishment of his was when he successfully negotiated to form an essential military alliance with France in 1778 as the American Revolution progressed, as well as negotiating the Treaty of Paris in 1783 after the Americans emerged victorious in the Revolution. Additionally, Franklin was a significant contributor to the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. Franklin was appointed to be the first Postmaster General in the U.S. in 1775, and he was one of the five men that drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. One of the things that peaks my interest in Benjamin Franklin and what inspired me to choose him for this essay is his passion for science and his inventions. Before he turned his interest to electricity and conducted his renowned kite-and-key experiment to demonstrate that lightning was a form of electricity, he had previously invented a flexible catheter, a heat-efficient stove, the Armonica, swim fins, and bifocals. Franklin got the nickname the “First American” because he was a genuine polymath and tycoon in the eyes of the public. The last public act that he was involved in was in 1789, when he wrote an anti-slavery treatise. The most interesting fact that I discovered about Franklin is that he was an ardent chess player. Seeing as how I really enjoy playing chess, I found this newfound information quite fascinating. In 1999, Ben was initiated into the United States Chess Hall of Fame and the second oldest chess club in the U.S., The Franklin Mercantile Chess Club in Philadelphia, was named in honor of him. If I was given the opportunity to have a face-to-face encounter with the “First American,” Benjamin Franklin, I would ask him if he thought America would…
The individual described in this writing is Benjamin Franklin. The basis for this paper is the cycle of Benjamin’s life, and the events that were significant for him throughout his years. Benjamin had a very large family; he began working at the age of twelve. During his young adult years, Benjamin chose to leave home and head for a bigger city. Throughout his young adult years Benjamin experienced some very significant events, while managing to attract all the ladies. During Benjamin’s later years, he spent most of his time abroad in France. Even after losing his wife, Benjamin still managed to have a flourishing love life. Eventually Benjamin Franklin’s life had to come to an end, however he still remains a large part of our history, even…
Born in 1706, Benjamin Franklin was probably the most diverse and talented of the founding fathers; I say this because, not only was he a superb diplomat and politician, but he was also a writer, inventor, and a scientist, among many other things. Franklin was responsible for helping write the Declaration of Independence, as well as getting the French on our side during the Revolutionary War. Additionally, Benjamin Franklin invented things, such as bifocal glasses, the lightning rod, and swimming fins. Aside from his political and scientific talents, he was also a philosopher with a deep insight into the minds of people, and life itself. He was very interested in philosophy, and wanted to become a morally perfect person, who never did any harm, nor had any bad habits.…
Benjamin Franklin was a man of many talents. He became well known around the globe for his jobs as being an inventor, printer, scientist, diplomat, postmaster, and politician. He was the most known for drafting the Declaration of Independence with other founding fathers. Ben gave huge contributions to our world during his time living.…
If I were to be alive at the time Benjamin Franklin set out and published his autobiography, I would have a few things to say in regards to his thoughts, statements he made, and actions that he partook in.…
Benjamin Franklin was known for many things. Most people know him from his famous kite flying experiment, but he was mostly famous for helping writing the draft for the Declaration of Independence. Ben was also known for being a printer, writer, scientist, inventor,statesman, civic leader, and diplomat.(America’s Library) By the end of his life he was elected for governor of Pennsylvania and lived a happy life.(Great Life of Benjamin Franklin)…
The cornerstone of the United States of America is its Founding Fathers. This group of highly educated, wealthy aristocrats instigated the revolution against Britain, built the American system of government from scratch, and introduced American ideals that would resonate with the rest of the world. Some of the most acclaimed Founding Fathers include George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. However, although all of the Founding Fathers influenced the country in one way or another, none of them had as large of an impact as Benjamin Franklin. In addition to being a Founding Father, this Massachusetts-born Patriot was a renowned author, printer, scientist, politician, diplomat, and much more. Because of his exemplary work in these different…