The Life of Benjamin Franklin

Early Life Born January 17, 1706 in Boston, MA Had 9 brothers and seven sisters Family trade of candle and soap making Originally intended to become a minister but took up printmaking at age 12 Only had two years of formal education

Who was Benjamin Franklin? Scientist Inventor Community Leader Writer Statesman/Politician

Franklin’s Accomplishments Scientist Proved lightening as a source of energy First to study movement of the Gulf Stream Inventor of… the Franklin stove

Bifocals Swim fin

The Glass Armonica The Odometer

The Lightning Rod

Franklin’s Accomplishments Community leader- Organized The first volunteer fire departments The first post office The first public library Writer Poor Richard’s Almanack (1733-1758) Experiments and Observations on Electricity (1751) Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (1791)

Franklin’s Accomplishments Statesman Served as diplomat to England and France Helped create Declaration and Constitution. ***Only American to sign all four of the documents that created the republic The Declaration of Independence Treaty of alliance with France Treaty of peace with England The Constitution

Ben Franklin in Pop Culture “It’s all about the Benjamins!”

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Was unpublished during Franklin’s lifetime Chronicles his life from 1771-1790 One of the most famous autobiographies ever written Divided into four parts Part Two contains the section “Arriving at Moral Perfection”

“Moral Perfection” Franklin’s attempt to rid himself of all flaws Ties into the Rationalist belief that man could be made perfect Includes a list of thirteen virtues Franklin felt he needed to improve upon Franklin’s progress charted in a booklet

Poor Richard’s Almanack Yearly almanac published from 1733-1758 Written by Franklin under the pseudonym of “Poor Richard” Sold 10,000 copies each year Included calendar, weather forecasts, poems, sayings, and astrological information Franklin’s biggest publishing success

The Sayings of Poor Richard “Love your neighbor; yet don’t pull down your hedge.” “Fish and visitors smell in three days.” “Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterward.”

"Fish and visitors stink in three days."

The Sayings of Poor Richard “Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead.” “Tart words make no friends; a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.” “Glass, china, and reputation are all easily cracked and never mended.”

The Sayings of Poor Richard “He that lieth down with dogs shall rise up with fleas.” “If a man could have half his wishes, he would double his troubles.” “'Tis hard for an empty bag to stand upright.”