Declaration of Independence, Politicians from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Scientists from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Independent politicians in the United States, Pages using infobox officeholder with ambassador from or minister from, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. In The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Franklin relates how, after his father pointed out his lack of “elegance of expression,” he taught himself to write more elegantly and expressively. Franklin called himself a printer, but is also known for his writings. At a young age, he had a thirst for knowledge and was … Benjamin Franklin was a noted author, a recognized polymath, a great political theorist, a smart scientist, a creative musician, a dreamy inventor, a civics activist and a famous diplomat. Franklin died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from pleurisy, April 17, 1790 aged 84. "Franklin" redirects here. Benjamin Franklin was as famous as any president, but yet never elected to public office. The city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (where he lived) marked his three hundredth birthday in 2006. So the focus will be the search for similarities between Franklin’s “character” and the so called Americanness or thing that are supposed to American. This quote shows how much Franklin was into improving himself, he adopted the Socratic method in an instant, and even improved it so that he was able to convince people even though they were superior or maybe right. Born as the son of a soap and candle maker in 1706 he then became one of the most famous Americans in his time and is even today well known, he is the embodiment of the American dream, from the dishwasher to the millionaire. He was for many years the postmaster of Philadelphia, and in 1753 became Postmaster General of the Thirteen Colonies. This work ethic, and endurance is very American, and an example for “Americanness”. A biographical essay on Benjamin Franklin, illustrating some of his many talents and his political career. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) provided the paradigm for special qualities in each of his multiple careers which have since been regarded as characteristically American. He was in the Continental Congress, which led the country during the Revolutionary War, and he helped write the United States Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin was a remarkably talented man. Franklin was well-read and established himself in the printing business as an author of political dissent against colonialism early in life, one article of which sent his brother to jail for a month (Franklin pp). His successful diplomacy in France was an important factor in the United States' win over Great Britain. The earning of money within the modern economic order is . We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. So why exactly is Franklin called "The First American? Thesis Statement “To what extent did Benjamin Franklin maintain unity in his autobiography?” Life Franklin was one of the twenty siblings that his parents gave birth to. But was is it that made him “the first American”? Benjamin Franklin's Life and Decisions . Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was an American statesman and scientist. One of his greatest contributions was in the theory of electricity. The first advice he utilizes ethos. - High royalties for the sales Sarah Franklin Bache: Profession: Scientist Writer Politician: Signature: Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was an American statesman and scientist. Franklin, at the age of 21, established the colonies' first circulation library for all interested citizens. Franklin came to be seen as the embodiment of American values. He was one of the nation’s revolutionary founding fathers of all time. Benjamin Franklin was a respected hero of America of many talents and accomplishments. He even was the first thing many Europeans associated with America at the time. Which are the “American” attributes that Franklin embodies and in how far can one read these attributes and attitudes in Franklin’s autobiography and other writings? He started his career as a simple printer apprentice, but went far beyond the printers shop. First of all, Benjamin Franklin was born at Boston in 1706. In his autobiography one can easily recognize that Franklin is always working hard, trying to educate himself as far as possible, and to outperform others. Franklin was also an inventor, writer and philosopher, furthermore he was the first American who was international honoured and respected as politician and scientist. — to say that Franklin's prose met his personal criteria. As ambassador to France he helped persuade the French to join the war against Great Britain. In his time as a printer’s apprentice he tried to read every book he could as one can read in his autobiography; “ Often I sat up in my room reading the greatest part of the night, when a book was borrow’d in the evening and to be return’d early in the morning” (lemay p.10). 29). He helped negotiate the peace, too. . He was born on the 17th of January of 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts (Vinci, par.1). xxii. Later he became a councilman, a Justice of the Peace, later a representative of the city. [2] He quarrelled with his brother and at age 17 ran away to Philadelphia, then to London and then back to Philadelphia. For other uses, see, United States Declaration of Independence, "27 Interesting Facts about Ben Franklin", Website for PBS Franklin Television Series, https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Benjamin_Franklin&oldid=6989550, Signers of the U.S. He only had two years of school, so he taught himself. And exactly this work ethic and attitude makes the difference, it characterizes Franklin, and it is also characteristic for the Americans. Franklin did not only want to excel in his writing but also in his rhetoric. To find out more about cookies or to manage the usage of cookies, please read our privacy policy: Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg. Silence Dogood". Most people see Franklin as one of history's greatest inventors. While working there, Franklin secretly wrote articles for the newspaper and labelled them as being by "Mrs. Franklin immediately starts to imitate the excellent writing from a volume of the Spectator in order to improve his style of writing, and to get a “tolerable English writer” (lemay p.12). Among some of the more well known are Poor Richard's Almanack, and the Pennsylvanian. He even started a Vegetable Diet in order to save money for books: “…and then propos’d to my Brother, that if he would give me Weekly half the Money he paid for my Board I would board my self. In 1757 he went to live in London as agent for Pennsylvania and later for other colonies. For example, he invented the lightning rod and bifocals, the Franklin stove, and the glass harmonica. This self education shows Franklin’s work ethic and attempt to outperform others. He was the President of the Academy and College of Philadelphia. It also shows that anyone can make it in the American society, with enough patience, endurance, and of course a lot of work everything is possible, what leads us again to the term “American Dream” and to the saying that everything is possible. Benjamin Franklin wrote about how he taught himself to write more elegantly and expressively in his autobiography, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. He was born as the son of a soap and candle maker and became one of the most famous Americans at his, and even still in our time. I have added paragraph … It is an amusing commentary on the lesser talents of his critics that they have needed so many words — "simple," "clear," "terse," "limpid," "economical," "plain," etc. Was it his liberal and democratic sense, his belief in science and in progress that made him ahead of his time? He developed products that were far beyond the time. Two years after starting to work at his father's shop, he went to work at his brother James' printing shop. In an excerpt from his book he effectively uses pithy statements, ethos, and pathos to reveal his values relating to life. Benjamin Franklin is often called the “father“ of America, the fabulous American, or “the first American”, or as a anonymous reporter from 1856 wrote in the New York Times that Franklin “was the incarnation of the true American character… Franklin was the true type of the pure, noble, republican feeling of America“(Huang p.31). Franklin began his career as a writer when he was apprenticed to his brother, James Franklin, for whom he wrote his first published work: “grubstreet” ballads. He was a very important person in the American Revolution and helped make the Thirteen Colonies one nation. In his autobiography he describes his life in his own words and it is impressive how much attributes that are today considered to be American can be found autobiography and in some other writings of him. [3] He became rich and famous as a printer, publisher and writer. . He instantly agreed to it, and I presently found that I could save half what he paid me. Franklin was born in Boston. [1] After two years of school he stayed home as an apprentice in his father's candle-making shop. Franklin also wanted to write, but he didn't know how. But of course his fame, and wealth didn’t fall from the sky, it was his work ethic, his self-reliance, his self-education, and his endurance that brought him that far. I was charm’d with it, adopted it, dropt my abrupt Contradiction, and positive Argumentation, and put on the humble Enquirer and Doubter. He has also been known as "the First American". He was also “the only leading American who signed all four of the major documents that laid the foundation of the republic: the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Treaties of Alliance (1778), the Peace Treaty between Great Britain and the United States (1783), and the Constitution of the United States (1787)” (Huang, p.37). Franklin was a scientist who studied experiments in an effort to improve or correct them. Here is his technique in his own words. Later, he sold his businesses and became busy with science and politics. […] I found this Method safest for my self and very embarrassing to those against I used it, therefore I took a Delight in it, practis’d it continually and grew very artful and expert in drawing People even of superior Knowledge into concessions the Consequences of which they did not foresee, entangling them in Difficulties out of which they could not extricate themselves, and so obtaining Victories that neither my self nor my Cause always deserved.” (lemay p.13). He fulfilled “the” American Dream. Benjamin Franklin came from a modest family and at the age of thirteen began as an apprentice for his bother (Franklin pp). He was for instance very interested in the Socratic Method of dispute. He found stories that he liked and rewrote them. - Every paper finds readers. He was also on the fifty-cent coin for 15 years. He shall stand before kings" (Prov. Franklin believed that good writing was smooth, clear, and short. He read about all kinds of subjects. Although Franklin owned slaves, he eventually freed them and became an abolitionist. Many streets and a few towns are named for him. Our final document will match the EXACT specifications that YOU provide, guaranteed. ", - Publication as eBook and book This was an additional Fund for buying Books.”(lemay p.12-13). That is exactly what Franklin did, through his work as a writer, printer, publisher, diplomat, philosopher and scientist he developed a remarkable respect for himself. The image and the values promoted in Franklin's autobiography … The first very American thing about Benjamin Franklin is his way from rags to riches, it is also the first thing that comes to one’s mind when thinking about America. He has also been known as "the First American". But not only that Franklin read a lot, he was also always trying to be better than others, to outperform them, as one can see when Franklin tells about the conversations with his friend John Collins, Franklin’s father remarked that Ben lacks in “elegance of expression, in method and in perspicuity” (lemay p.11). Benjamin Franklin is often called the “father“ of America, the fabulous American, or “the first American”, or as a anonymous reporter from 1856 wrote in the New York Times that Franklin “was the incarnation of the true American character… Franklin was the true type of the pure, noble, republican feeling of America“(Huang p.31). Did his attributes shape the following generations and characterize the American Way even in nowadays? - It only takes five minutes Benjamin Franklin himself answers in his Autobiography with a quotation from the Bible, which his Calvinistic father drummed into him . Later, he was part of the group that made the Constitution of the United States. Franklin's Autobiography is the epitome of Franklin's spirit. Franklin loved books and reading. Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: This page was last changed on 15 June 2020, at 00:20. He controlled the postal service as Postmaster General. The Franklin stove for example, for cold winter … Benjamin Franklin, one of the most distinguished founding fathers, influenced a notable part of the way society is today and, set a great example of how life is to be lived, by doing good to others. When he was young, he borrowed books from anyone who would lend them. Benjamin Franklin, the Writer Benjamin Franklin loved to read. Benjamin Franklin takes his chance to write a self help book with his advice in the form of his autobiography, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. A picture of Franklin has been on the United States' hundred-dollar bill since 1928. Benjamin Franklin One of the pillars of American history who had been instrumental in contributing various works in an array of endeavors is Benjamin Franklin. Having got a taste for writing, Franklin went on to submit articles to his brother’s newspaper under the pseudonym of a widow, Silence Dogood. in his youth: 'Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He was a leader in the city of Philadelphia, where he did many important things. “And soon after I procur’d Xenophon’s Memorable Things of Socrates, wherein there are many Instances of the Same Method. . Our "Benjamin Franklin" experts can research and write a NEW, ONE-OF-A-KIND, ORIGINAL dissertation, thesis, or research proposal—JUST FOR YOU—on the precise "Benjamin Franklin" topic of your choice. Benjamin Franklin found writing he admired in the Spectator, and then imitated the writing. Although this is not exactly like the copywork method used by Charlotte Mason for younger children, it is a related method of learning from the masters. He also started one of the first public libraries in Philadelphia. Benjamin Franklin was very important in Pennsylvanian and early American politics. As a leader of the Enlightenment, he influenced European scientists. For foreigners, Benjamin Franklin became the very icon of America, not only because he was accomplished, but because he was a new man, a man that could only have been made in America. . Introduction Benjamin Franklin is revered by Americans as one of its most revered and adored founding fathers.