1. Meet Benjamin Franklin

2. Franklin’s Background Born one of 17 children Prosperous merchant, owner of print shop and publisher of The Pennsylvania Gazette by age of 24

3. Franklin’s Background Promoted numerous municipal projects: –Paved streets –Sewer lines –Improved street lighting –Founded Academy of Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania)

4. Contribution to Society Scientist and inventor -open heating stove -bifocal glasses -lightning rod and many more.. Always looking for ways for self- improvement and the improvement of society

5. Contribution to Society Franklin traveled back and forth from Europe to America Helped draft the Declaration of Independence

6. Franklin’s Autobiography Started when he was 65 years old Never finished, published after death Selection begins w /Franklin’s escape from a secret “indenture” (contract of service), that his brother forced him to sign

7. Franklin’s Autobiography Continued… As a teen, Franklin was apprenticed to his older brother at a Boston newspaper Felt he was treated harshly

8. What is an apprenticeship? A youth could sign a contract, called an indenture, obligating him to work for a skilled craftsman for a given number of years in exchange for room, board, and training in his craft.