...question of "name at least three founding fathers of The United States," we could easily come up with George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, or Alexander Hamilton. Now if that same survey asked instead "name one defining characteristic of these founding fathers," or "describe in your own words the significance of these individuals," we would get various responses. Despite the randomness of answers we would receive on such a survey, a common consensus could be reached about America's Founding Fathers, that is these individuals were great figures in our nation's history. The role they played in the 18th century to establish the basis for a nation that would continue to grow for centuries was significant....
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...Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705][Note 1][Note 2] – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He invented the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, a carriage odometer, and the glass 'armonica'.[1] He facilitated many civic organizations, including a fire department and a university. Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity; as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies, then as the first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation.[2] Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment without its heat."[3] To Walter Isaacson, this makes Franklin "the most accomplished...
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...The Founding Father The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin Socrates once said “Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings.” This is exactly what the men known as the wisest American achieved: self-betterment through readings and writings of other authors. In his Autobiography Benjamin Franklin takes us not only into a tour of his life but also in the journey he traveled in the 18th century, which allowed him to become the person we know of today. Franklin’s determination to persevere and learn from writings of other authors is the key points of the Autobiography that help make it an inspirational self-empowered autobiography. Unlike many other autobiographies Franklin starts this one as a letter to his son and governor of New Jersey in 1771, William Franklin. He writes in an attempt to inform his son of the life he once traveled. In this part of the Autobiography we are introduced to his family genealogy. Through this we find out that he is the youngest of the youngest son, Josiah, who though he made and sold candles and soap was a well-respected man. His mother Abiah, being a woman, had only one choice and that was to be a stay at home mom and take care of their children. Though at the time most men were put into trades and molded into being apprentices, Josiah saw something unique in Franklin and decided to enroll him into grammar school, marking the beginning of Franklin’s lifelong and impressive career. At age twelve Franklins...
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...Dexter Davis Professor Heppding History 221- D16 14 November 2011 Determined Statesman, Self Promoter and Innovator 1. Bio of Benjamin of Franklin 2. A young child as an avid reader 3. A journeyman printer and continual pursue as a writer 4. Benjamin the journalist 5. Benjamin achieved success as a clerk of the General Assembly and became the Poster- Master General in Philadelphia 6. Benjamin the Statesman, Self promoter and Innovator 7. Conclusion Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States. He was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. Benjamin was the youngest son of seventeen siblings. He did not complete his formal education; however, he was a person who was extraordinarily ambitious, free thinker, self-promoter and a determined innovator, who changed many minds and cultures through his journalisms, inventions, political influence, scientific researches, statesman and diplomat. Benjamin, as a young child, read many books that he could get his hands on, such as the first collection, “Paul Bunyan’s” literary work that he treasured, and later sold, to purchase Burton’s Historical Collections. His father, Josiah Franklin had his own library. However, majority of his father's book were religious materials, moreover, Benjamin did not enjoy reading them; that became a turning point for not becoming a clergyman. He continues to pursue other interest books, such as “De Foe’s”, an Essay on Projects and “Dr. Mather’s”...
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...Jakeel Lockett KIns1401 4/15/2015 Benjamin Franklin: Slave life and The American Dream Throughout his entire life, Benjamin Franklin represented and was for a lot of different things. He was a huge supporter of the American Dream, and really tried his best to show how Americans are supposed to act. He was a good man all together. He was a founding father of the nation and a primary architect of Philadelphia. A pioneering scientist, A crafter of pithy truths, And a humanitarian who spent a large chunk of his life working to make the lives of others better. Except when it came to slavery. He spoke of liberty and was a key contributor to the Declaration of Independence (“All men are created equal”), yet he owned slavs for more than 40 years. He sought to prove to britian that his nation was the land of freedom, yet accepted- and even profited from – chattel slavery as a matter of course. As strongly as he supported things he also was against slavery. Many people wouldn’t believe that he was against slavery, or believed that he was a hypocrite. Well he blamed his hypocrisy on the Brits: British traders bring the slave to us and tempt us to purchase them , he wrote “…I do not justify our falling into temptation.” Franklin gradually came to believe that African Americans should be treated as equals by their government. In 1787, at the age of 81, he was named president of the country’s first abolitionist group, the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery...
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...Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17th 1706 and died on April 17th 1790. Throughout his life he worked as a Founding Father, inventor, scientist, politician and diplomat. He helped create the Declaration of Independence and write the Constitution. He invented glasses and he created the first library in America. He had slaves while living in America. He began to change his views on slavery and he eventually released his slaves in 1760. When he was older, he began to oppose slavery even more. He was president of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. He wrote many works about ending slavery and how it was evil. In 1790 he petitioned to congress to end slavery and the slave trade. At first, Franklin believed that...
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...Joseph Chase 04/9/2012 Benjamin franklin Autobiography Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States. Franklin was born January 17, 1706 and died April 17, 1790. Franklin was a leading writer, publisher, inventor, diplomat, scientist, and philosopher. Franklin is well-known for his experiments with electricity and lightning. Franklin was one of fifteen children in his family. Because he was from such a large family he was sent out to work at a very early age. He only had a few years of grammar school education when he started working in his father’s business. During his days off he educated himself through books. He worked as an apprentice in his brother’s print shop for several years until tension ended their relationship. He moved to Philadelphia to continue in the printing business. The book portrays a picture of life in Philadelphia, as well as literature, philosophy, and religion of America colonial and revolutionary periods. Franklin discussed his life-story as an example to illustrate the most important American qualities and values, like determination, self-sufficiency, perseverance, hard work, frugality, and reliance on a sound code of ethics are the ingredients of success. Benjamin was always teaching and leading by example. One way Franklin started his self-improvement was when he worked at his brother shop he begin to read and imitate the style of professional authors. This was a personal...
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...Benjamin Franklin The information I am going to share will be a big surprise to you. Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, is a well-rounded and productive figure. His distinguished contributions vary from field to field, for he is not only a famous author, diploma, and political theorist, but also a postmaster, printer and scientist. Is it incredible or just stunning? Unquestionably it is. However, to be honest, He is worthy of such titles. Now, let us make an all-round acquaintance of him in detail. As a scientist and inventor, he had made great contributions to the American Enlightenment and the history of physics. He conducted a many of experiments and discovered lots of new things such as the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove. Moreover, He facilitated many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department and a university. As an outstanding author and spokesman, he exemplified the emerging American nation. He earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity. He was also foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, and community spirit, and he was opposite to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. As a successful newspaper editor and printer, he published the Pennsylvania Chronicle with his two partners, a newspaper that was known...
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...Benjamin Franklin The information I am going to share will be a big surprise to you. Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, is a well-rounded and productive figure. His distinguished contributions vary from field to field, for he is not only a famous author, diploma, and political theorist, but also a postmaster, printer and scientist. Is it incredible or just stunning? Unquestionably it is. However, to be honest, He is worthy of such titles. Now, let us make an all-round acquaintance of him in detail. As a scientist and inventor, he had made great contributions to the American Enlightenment and the history of physics. He conducted a many of experiments and discovered lots of new things such as the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove. Moreover, He facilitated many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department and a university. As an outstanding author and spokesman, he exemplified the emerging American nation. He earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity. He was also foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, and community spirit, and he was opposite to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. As a successful newspaper editor and printer, he published the Pennsylvania Chronicle with his two partners, a newspaper that was known for...
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...[pic][pic]Table of contents Table of Contents Introduction to Benjamin Franklin, Inventions & Successes Inventions & Successes Inventions & Successes, Birth of Franklin History of Growing up as a child Family and Marriage Life Death of Franklin and his Family Sayings from Franklin Sayings from Franklin Personal overview of Franklin as a Leader Work Cited Page An Amazing Leader: Benjamin Franklin I chose to do a report on a very well known and appreciated leader, Benjamin Franklin. This man inspires me so much, exspecially to know that he came from an eror that did not have near the wonderful tools or drive of pure pressure stemming from a horrible economy as we have today.He was still determined and able to accomplish new and exciting experiments and inventions. Not only was Benjamin an amazing leader but he also achieved many other accomplishments in several different categories from religion to public safety, you name it this amazing leader did it. It almost seems as though there was nothing he could not do. Some of many of Franklins successful areas were: SCIENCE - Noted 18th Century Scientist (Archbold, n.d.) INVENTOR - Stove, lightning rod, bifocals and many others... MEDICINE - Founded 1st U.S. Hospital BANKING - Well known for maxims on thrift AGRICULTURE - Introduced several crops to U.S. PRINTING - Noted Colonial printer - "Patron Saint of Printing" ...
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...Benjamin Franklin John Doe University of Phoenix LDR-531/Leadership February 8, 2014 Professor: Jane Doe Benjamin Franklin According to the Franklin Institute (n.d.), “Today, America's leadership and government are found in Washington, DC. In the late 1700s, that leadership was in Philadelphia because that's where Ben Franklin was” (para. 4). I am a great admirer of Benjamin Franklin. A polymath, Franklin never stopped learning. His numerous accomplishments include cofounding the first hospital in North America, organizing Philadelphia's first fire company and founding the first circulating library, the Library Company of Philadelphia (La Fon, 2013). These endeavors could not be done alone. Says the National Lightning Safety Institute, “Many of Franklin's achievements involved motivating other people towards his goals. He was successful in accomplishing many things because he enlisted the help of others” (Knowing How to Motivate Others Tactfully). To bring his ideas into reality, Franklin had to use a form of leadership to transmit and instill his vision in others. I desire to emulate his leadership style in order to be successful in my next vocation. Franklin the Leader Franklin embodies every attribute of a charismatic leader as laid out in Leadership in Organizations. His novel and appealing visions lead to the creation of the Franklin stove, bifocals, the odometer and swimming fins as well as the discovery of...
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...three proves to be more difficult than one may think. However, even given the difficulty of this task I have in the end chosen three men, that without, this country may very well have shaped up much differently than the country that we have come to know to this day. The three men of my choice are John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. The reason for my decision on these three individuals is because they all played crucial roles in the formation of our great country and without their key insight and the driving force that they brought it could have turned out much differently. Each holds a very important place during this time in history which will be more fully understood and unveiled in the coming pages. To better understand these roles, and these men as a whole I believe it best to look at each individually to see what brought them to be such important figures in history and how it was that their fates intertwined. John Adams was born on October 30, 1735 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony of Braintree which is now known as Quincy (Bio, 2013). John was a direct descendent of Puritan colonists whose father was John Adams Sr. His father wore many hats which included being a farmer, a Congregationalist deacon, and a town councilman. Coming from these roots John Jr.’s studies started out of very humble means by...
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...Benjamin Franklin Biography Born in January of 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin is an iconic figure in American history and throughout the world (Gaustad 2003). Among other things, he was one of the most well known politicians and civil activists of the Enlightenment Era in North America. He was known for his role as Ambassador to France, and his work to gain French military assistance during the American Revolution. Franklin was also one of the Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence and helped draft the United States Constitution. Benjamin Franklin was extremely brilliant, but at the same time considered by many as self-effacing and approachable (Essig, 2006). Despite his great involvement in civics and politics later in his life, Franklin was first a businessman and a scientist. Franklin’s scientific work and business ventures lead him to become one of the most recognizable innovators of all time. According to Isaacson (2003), one of the main factors that caused Franklin to be thought of as a genius was the varied nature of his interests. He became involved in projects that ranged from civics to science, and he never took himself too seriously. The earliest known invention of Benjamin Franklin was the development of a copperplate press in 1728 that used ornate designs, and different colors of ink to make it more difficult for counterfeiters to forge paper money from the state of New Jersey. It was also during this period that...
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...Christy Penner Comparative essay The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin ( Wood,2004) and Abigail Adams (Holton, 2009) each depict historical figures before, during, and after the American revolution. Respectively, Woody Holton and Gordon S. Wood present unique aspects of Abigail Adams and Benjamin Franklin which highlight societal, institutional, and ideological changes brought about by the American revolution. Holton’s depiction of Abigail Adams provides an in depth analysis of the challenges she faces as a wife who assumes the roles typically undertaken by the family patriarch. In wood’s book, the depiction of Benjamin Franklin allows the reader to understand the progressive development of Franklin as he transitions from a gentleman to an ardent revolutionary. An interesting aspect of Wood’s portrayal of Franklin resides in his detailed analyses of his contributions to the American Revolution and the generally negative reception he receives upon returning to the independent colonies. Both Wood and Holton chose these individuals, and specifically the overriding topics of each book, in order to explain these chosen themes through the perspective of well-known historical figures. Although both authors make interesting arguments, Holton’s research on Abigail Adams presents a more significant contribution to historical research by highlighting her contribution to women’s rights and feminism. Woody Holton’s work, Abigail Adams (2009) tells the story of the wife of...
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...February 11, 1731 – December 14, 1799 was the first President of the United States 1789–97 the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the United States Constitution And was called the "father of his country" during his lifetime. The Olive Branch Petition The Olive Branch Petition, drafted on July 5, 1775, was a letter to King George III, from members of the Second Continental Congress, which represents the last attempt by the moderate party in North America to avoid a war of independence against Britain. The olive branch petition was signed by representatives of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina on 8 July 1775 and presented to King George III. Among the 48 signatories were John Adams, Stephen Hopkins, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and others who on 4 July 1776 signed the Declaration of Independence. Common...
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