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

The Autobiography as a Model 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

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/>.