Premium Essay

The Founding Father: Benjamin Franklin

In: Historical Events

Submitted By marxtoro
Words 1534
Pages 7
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 talent shown through and he became a printer in his brothers, James Franklin, printing company. Being hungry for more, and after proving to himself, and others anonymously, that he was indeed a great writer he decided to leave to Boston and head to Philadelphia at age seventeen, losing contact with everyone in his home country but his childhood friend John Collins. Throughout his journey in

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Diplomat Benjamin Franklin: Founding Fathers Of America

...Diplomat Benjamin Franklin was a member of the Founding Fathers of America based on his work with the Declaration of Independence, alliances with France and most importantly what he added to the US Constitution. He is “Known to be the only Founding Father that is a signatory of the US.” Franklin was assigned a position of justifying America’s political separation from Britain by the Continental Congress. He was accompanied in signing the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Robert Livingston and Roger Sherman. With his experience, he “Participated as a delegate to the constitutional convention in Philadelphia.” Franklin began his career in politics after moving to England in the early 1760’s. There he was exposed...

Words: 428 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Importance Of America's Founding Fathers

...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....

Words: 1200 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

How Did Benjamin Franklin Contribute To Government

...Many of the founding fathers of the United States are known for their specific contributions to the country. Alexander Hamilton is best known for his political contributions as Secretary of the Treasury. Thomas Jefferson if famous for his drafting of the Declaration of Independence and his role as the third president of the United States. Another well-known founding father was Benjamin Franklin, unique in comparison considering his lack of an active role in the government. While he may not have held an office as vital as president, or a political career for as long as several of his fellow founding fathers, his contributions were instrumental to the creation of the country. Often considered radical by part of his colleagues, Benjamin Franklin represented the evolution of enlightenment thinkers with his new democratic ideas putting citizens in power. Almost...

Words: 568 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

How Did Benjamin Franklin Influence Society

...The Influence of Benjamin Franklin in History and Science. Benjamin Franklin once said,” I didn’t fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.” In other words, Benjamin Franklin always made mistakes due to all his experiments, but he liked learning from them. In fact, he is known for his valuable inventions and incredible knowledge. Benjamin Franklin was a very influential person because of he was one of the founding fathers of the U.S. and his valuable inventions. To begin with, Benjamin Franklin was born on January 27, 1706 in Boston and was the eighth child out of the ten in the family (Ketcham 8-12). He later lived in England for 15 years as a spokesman and his father was a mechanic (Ketcham 8-12). He mentioned that his mother was very careful and showed high worthy standards (Ketcham 8-12). In fact, when he used to live at Boston, he used to help his father in his business in a shop, but his father realized he did an awful job (Dooling 1-45). For this reason, he was dismissed (Dooling 1-45). Benjamin...

Words: 1454 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Slavery Argumentative Essay

...was a norm at that time, so the question arisen is how the Founding Fathers - leaders of America thought and took action about slavery. According to the Declaration, slavery is unacceptable. Among the Founding Fathers, George Washington...

Words: 1254 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Wk3 His300

...colonist can live by in their settlements | The Mayflower Compact served as the main foundation of the US Constitution. It basically laid down the basic laws that are present in it. . | Articles of Confederation | | | Northwest Ordinance | | | Declaration of Independence | Helped form the USA and separate from British power. The declaration of independence set up the rules for the new country | This gave the people the right to be free and to equals | Philosophers | Who was this? | How did his writings influence the Constitution? | Thomas Hobbes | Hobbes is the founding father of political philosophy(Hobbes, Thomas (1998 [1642]) On the Citizen, ed & trans Richard Tuck and Michael Silverthorne (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge) | Hobbes basically said that each individual has the right everything. | John Locke | John Locke was considered one of Britains greatest Philosphers and the father of Empiricism ( http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/johnlocke.html) | Locke's political philosophies of all men are free and equal and by nature have certain natural rights and that the people from the government not an absolute ruler were used by Jefferson in his documents(http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/johnlocke.html) | Selected patriots | Who was this? | What were his views on governmental...

Words: 501 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Benjamin Franklin

...Colonial America was no different. The era was a complicated time when America was attempting to find itself. The family structure was one of hard work and survival. School and education came second to providing for ones family. During Benjamin Franklin’s early childhood, his family experienced some of the same newfound troubles many of these families were experiencing. Growing up his father, brother, and other family members had substantial influence on molding young Benjamin Franklin. As Franklin’s life unfolded, he exceeded in many fields, including science, politics, journalism, and philosophy, while also becoming one of the Founding Fathers of the nation. Thus, it is evident the childhood of Benjamin Franklin had tremendous effects on his future. Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston. Raised by his father, Josiah Franklin, and his mother, Abiah Folger Franklin, he was cast into a large family consisting of sixteen brothers and sisters. Josiah Franklin had seven children with another women before she passed away and he married Abiah. Due to the popularity of illnesses and diseases in the early American colonies both men and women were familiar with the idea of remarrying following their spouses death. Benjamin was the “youngest son and the youngest of all the children except two daughters.” A large family like the Franklin’s was not uncommon during this time as the average colonial family consisted of approximately nine members with a household...

Words: 3813 - Pages: 16

Free Essay

An Amazing Leader Benjamin Franklin

...[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" ...

Words: 2594 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Influences on the Constitution

...University of Phoenix Material Influences on the Constitution Table Write one or two paragraphs in each section. Include citations for your sources. |Documents |Summary |What was its influence on the Constitution? | |Magna Carta |The Magna Carta was signed between the Barons of Medieval England and King John. The |The Magna Carta established the right of due process and provided a basis of higher law that could not | | |Great Charter was signed at Runnymeade near the Windsor Castle and was an attempt by |be altered by executive mandate or legislative acts ("Magna Carta: Cornerstone Of The U.s. | | |the Barons to prohibit the King from abusing his power over the people ("Magna |Constitution", n.d.). | | |Carta", 2000-2012).. | | | |The Magna Carta consists of 63 clauses, many of the clauses address the English legal |Magna Carta: Cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution. (n.d.). Retrieved from | | |system. It states that every man shall...

Words: 1851 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

The Determined Statesman, Self-Promoter and Innovator

...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”...

Words: 1053 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Benjamin Franklin Research Paper

...Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706 as the tenth of his father’s seventeen children. His father, Josiah Franklin, made candles and soaps for a living, and had his own shop. Benjamin had to leave school at the age of ten to begin working there, but continued to study independently afterwards. When he was twelve, he became his older brother, James’ apprentice. James Franklin worked as a printer for a newspaper, and soon enough, Benjamin Franklin started submitting his own writing to be published in the paper. However, he did so with the pen name Silence Dogood, because he knew his brother would never allow him to submit his work. After writing over a dozen essays, Ben Franklin confessed to his older brother that he was Silence Dogood, and James Franklin was furious. Later, James Franklin was imprisoned for the opinions featured in his newspaper, and Benjamin had to maintain the shop in his absence. When James was released, he treated his younger brother with the same hostility as before James’ arrest. Due to his brother’s mistreatment of him, Benjamin Franklin went to live in Philadelphia....

Words: 523 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

How Did The Founding Fathers Disagree With Slavery?

...Slavery has been, and always will be a stain in history. Many have suffered through this horrendous act, and now people criticize those who partook in owning slaves in the past. Some of this criticism has been focused on the founding fathers. Most of the founding fathers disagreed with slavery, yet they still owned slaves. However, I do not believe the founding fathers deserve to be called hypocrites. I believe though they disagreed with slavery, they didn’t take the initiation to end it because it was ethically appropriate at that time. In fact, the majority of the founding fathers actually treated their slaves well. One of the founding fathers, James Madison, never made any public anti-slavery efforts, but he was quoted telling his “overseers...

Words: 400 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Summary Of Joseph Ellis Founding Brothers

...In the novel,”Founding Brothers” author Joseph Ellis illustrates the Revolutionary era by providing insights of the Founding Fathers. Ellis also distinguishes the behind scenes look during the revolutionary period as he comes across the explanation of how America successfully achieved their independence from Great Britain, declaration of Independence, and established the United States Constitution. Ellis takes the reader back into American history to view how these founding fathers (Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison) contributed to the American Revolution.Alexander Hamilton “was [the] secretary of treasury”(48). He was described as an ambitious man, he had developed a financial plan to pay off the state debts. Part of his plan was to collaborate a National Bank. He wanted Congress to charter this bank that would provide stability to America's economy by establishing loans to merchants, handling government funds, and issuing...

Words: 803 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Bejamin Franklin Essay

...Essay on Benjamin Franklin HIUS 221 Hunter Lewis III For this assignment I chose the first question, which was “One of the over-arching themes in Franklin’s Autobiography is that of self-improvement. Franklin intends for his own experience to serve as a model for others. Discuss key ways that Franklin presents his story as an illustration of self-improvement. Is he successful in the attempt? What motivates him toward this attempt? Does he strike you as a self-promoter or a genuinely benevolent man desirous of helping others? In your answer, use specific examples from the book to illustrate your points.” First off, Benjamin Franklin was an amazing man whose kindness, compassion, and love for his fellow man knew no bounds. He was and is the embodiment of self-improvement. History is filled with great men and women that have done amazing and remarkable feats to better mankind. In my personal opinion, Benjamin Franklin is up there with the best of them. This man spent the majority of his life being a model of self –improvement, so that others would emulate his actions. I know one would think that Benjamin Franklin had an easy life after reading my first paragraph, but thinking that is far from the truth. Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, Ma. Everyone knows that life in Colonial Times wasn’t the easiest of living. The early settlers had no idea how to survive in the wilderness, and they had no experiences in preparing for the bitter winters that...

Words: 1136 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

A Christian Nation

...A Great Nation with Many Questions The American citizens of this great nation, as a whole, are ready to concede that the United States of America was not founded with Christian principles or with any basis of religion. In ten years, no one will question whether we were founded as a Christian nation or not. Is this something that American citizens are willing to concede? Our founding fathers never directly made reference to Christianity or religion, but it certainly was referenced. Think of how the United States of America would be if its foundation was not one with Christian principles, not a united country, a country without good moral values. Historically, whether many believe it or not, the United States of America is a Christian nation. American was founded by the Pilgrims and Puritans in the early 1600’s. They came to America to be able to practice religious freedom and for other reasons. England decided that they wanted to break away from the Roman Catholic Church in the 1500’s, thus the creation of the Church of England, otherwise known as the Anglican Church. The pilgrims not wanting to belong to the Church of England decided that they wanted to establish a colony in the state of Virginia. They wanted to practice religious freedom and have the Gospel as part of their lives. According to you tube video, “Pilgrims and their journey” by Amwess1 the pilgrims left for America in 1620 on the Mayflower. After more than sixty days they made land at Plymouth, Massachusetts...

Words: 1489 - Pages: 6