Benjamin Franklin

Meet Benjamin Franklin Born in Boston on January 17, 1706 • 10th son of a soap maker, Josiah Franklin • Josiah intended for Ben to enter into the clergy, but he could only afford to send him to school for one year • He loved to read • Became apprentice to brother James, a printer • 12 year old Ben would sell products in the streets

Apprentice Printer • Ben would sneak letters under print shop door at night so no one knew who wrote the pieces – immediate smash hit! • Confessed after 16 letters • Most people thought it was funny but James was jealous of Benjamin When 15 years old, his brother started The New England Courant (the first “newspaper” in Boston) Ben longed to write for newspaper but James wouldn’t allow So Ben began writing letters at night and signing them with the name of a fictional widow, Silence Dogood Dogood: filled with advice and critical of how women were treated

Escape to Philadelphia James was eventually thrown in jail for some of his controversial opinions in the paper and Ben was left to run it Upon release from jail, James was not grateful to Ben and continued to harass him Ben decided to run away in 1723, an illegal act Found work as an apprentice printer and found future wife Deborah Read Doing so great that the governor made him a promise but reneged and Ben was stuck in London for several months Set up his own business when he returned back to Philadelphia 1728: fathered a child named William 1730: married Deborah Read Also ran a goods store and a book store

Pennsylvania Gazette 1729: bought a newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette Franklin printed the paper and contributed pieces under different aliases Soon became most successful in colonies Would print 1st political cartoon, authored by Franklin Franklin was also devoted to public good Organized the Junto, young working-man’s group dedicated to self-and-civic improvement

Poor Richard’s Almanac Started publishing in 1733 Franklin published his Almanac under the name of Richard Saunders, a poor man who needed money to take care of his dissatisfied wife Almanacs were printed annually and contained weather reports, recipes, and predictions Franklin’s was distinguished because of his witty aphorisms and lively writing Many sayings you hear today come from Poor Richard

Aphorism Brief saying embodying a moral; a concise statement of a principle given in pointed words. EXAMPLES: Emerson: Imitation is suicide Franklin: Lost Time is never Found again.

Accomplishments Helped to launch the Library Company in 1731 1736: organized Philadelphia’s Union Fire Company, 1st in the city 1743: launched American Philosophical Society, 1st learned society in America 1751: helped bring together group who formed Pennsylvania Hospital 1752: helped to found the Philadelphia Contribution for Insurance Against Loss by Fire

Inventions 1749: retired from business and began focusing on science, inventions, and experiments 1743: Franklin had already invented a heat-efficient stove to warm houses Other inventions include swim fins and bifocals 1750’s: turned to the study of electricity and made advances with his lightning rod

Political Scene and Ending Franklin had always been a loyal Englishman until the Stamp Act and his British “friends” began turning their backs Began to work for independence and son William turned his back, causing a rift between the two Elected to 2nd Continental Congress that drafted the Declaration of Independence 1778: convinced France to sign a Treaty of Alliance Died April 17, 1790 at age 84 20,000 people attended his funeral