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Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Who Was Benjamin Franklin?
A statesman A scientist An inventor An author A businessman A celebrity
A young Benjamin Franklin
10th of 15 children Less than 2 years of
formal education Apprentice in
brother’s printing shop Ran away to
Philadelphia and became successful and wealthy printer and political revolutionary
The Junto
Latin for “meeting” Members came from diverse backgrounds Members shared an interest in inquiry and
self-improvement
His Beginning as a Writer
1722—Franklin publishes “Silence Dogood Letters” anonymously in his brother’s newspaper Letters remarkable for their persona of an
elderly woman Publishes Poor Richard’s Almanac
Written under pen name “Richard Saunders”
Contained advice, encouragement, predictions and factual events
Best known for its witty and practical quotes
Poor Richard’s Almanac
Almanac: a book that gives weather forecasts and other information for the year to come.
Richard was supposed to be a poor, but dear man.
The almanac became the most popular one in America. The popular sayings The continuing story of poor Richard’s life
Poor Richard’s Almanac made Franklin rich, so he stopped working as a printer at age 42.
Poor Richard’s Sayings
“Little strokes fell great oaks.”
“Haste makes waste.” “Early to bed and early to
rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
“Great talkers, little doers.”
“No gains without pains.” “Better slip with foot than
by tongue.” “When you are good to
others, you are best to yourself.”
Entry into Politics
1754—with rising fears of an attack on PA during French and Indian War, Franklin becomes more active in politics; publishes what is considered the first American political cartoon, “Join or Die”
Franklin the Innovator
Founded the Library Company of Philadelphia, the beginning of the public library system.
Founded America’s first volunteer fire department.
Improved mail delivery in the colonies. Started Philadelphia Academy, later
known as the University of Pennsylvania.
Started the Pennsylvania Hospital, the first general hospital in the country.
The Autobiography
Stages of composition: Part 1: 1771 (in England) Part 2: 1784 (in France) Part 3: 1788 (in Pennsylvania) Part 4: 1789-1790 (in
Pennsylvania) Scope: Ancestry-Birth-Upbringing
in Boston-Philadelphia-London-Philadelphia (to circa 1754)
The Autobiography as Literature
Written to his illegitimate son
Written on/off over several years
Discusses mostly the early years of his life
Contains strong self-improvement motif
Record of self-examination and self-improvement.
How-to-do-it book on the art of self-improvement (for example, Franklin’s 13 virtues)
Though telling a success story of self-reliance, celebrates fulfillment of the American dream.
In the pattern of Puritan simplicity, directness, and concision
The Autobiography as a Model
Sources
Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin & Selections from His Other Writings. NY: The Modern Library, 2001.
Wright, Esmond. Benjamin Franklin: A Profile. NY: Hill and Wang, 1970.
"The Papers of Benjamin Franklin." Franklin Papers. 3 Dec 2007 <http://franklinpapers.org/franklin/>.
"A Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin." The Electric Ben Franklin. Independence Hall Association. 3 Dec 2007 <http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/info/>.
