Benjamin Franklin

(“Ben Franklin Duplessis”)

Biography

• Born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706 (“Benjamin Franklin”)• Pious Calvinist family• Puritans who fled religious persecution in England

• Only formally educated to the age of 10• Began working for his candle-making business

• Learned printing while apprenticing with his brother for 5 years starting at age 12• At 17, he left Boston for Philadelphia in order to start printing on his own• 1725 – published and printed the Pennsylvania Gazette• 1731 – started the first public library• 1732 – began publishing Poor Richard’s Almanack• Collection of advice and sayings that act as a record of early American culture

Biography• Franklin became one of the largest and most wealthy printers in Pennsylvania

(“Benjamin Franklin”)• This wealth enabled him to explore other interests:

• Enlightenment Thinking• Science• Politics/Civil Service

• Although originally loyal to England, he became convinced of cause of independence• Served in the Second Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence• Served as a Commissioner to France during the Revolution and was key in obtaining

French financial and military support• After the Revolution, he returned to Philadelphia and was a member of the

Constitutional Convention• one of only 6 men to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution

Main Philosophies

• Enlightened Thinker (“Benjamin Franklin: A Man of Many”)• Supported the ideals of the

European Enlightenment• Opposed strict religious teachings

and interpretations• Believed in Religious Freedom• Felt Freedom of the Press and

Freedom of Speech were vital

("Coexist Bumpersticker")

("Pennsylvania Chronicle 1769")

Main Philosophies

• Scientist (“Benjamin Franklin: A Man of Many”)• Known for his experiments with

electricity • Developed a unified Theory of

Electricity• Tried to apply science into

everyday life• Lightening rods to protect houses

from fire• Franklin Stove• Bifocal glasses

("Franklin Stove Cross-Sectional Diagram")

("Bifocals by Benjamin Franklin")

Main Philosophies• Politics and Civil Service (“Benjamin

Franklin”)• Believed in the tenants of democracy

and the duty to serve his fellow citizens

• His wealth enabled him to serve in many diverse public roles• Postmaster General• Delegate to the Albany Congress during

the French and Indian War• Representative in the Pennsylvania

Colonial Assembly• Represented Pennsylvania in Second

Continental Congress, and the Constitutional Convention

• Commissioner to France during the Revolutionary War

• President of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania

("Declaration of Independence")

Main Works

• Pennsylvania Gazette ("The Pennsylvania Gazette“ Accessible Archives)• Newspaper printed in Philadelphia• Covered daily life, culture, social, and political

issues of the Revolutionary times and early years of the country

• Printed many of the most important writings of the time:• Common Sense – Thomas Payne• Letters from a Farmer – John Dickenson• The Federalist Papers

• Franklin used the Pennsylvania Gazette to help gain support for the revolution

("The Pennsylvania Gazette“ Wikimedia Commons)

("Benjamin Franklin Join or Die")

Main Works• Poor Richard's Almanack ("Benjamin

Franklin: Poor Richard's “) • Published from 1733-1738• Contained stories and sayings that came

to represent the culture and times of the colonial period.• Published under the pseudonym Richard

Saunders but it was widely known to be the work of Franklin• Many of the sayings attributed to

Franklin were published in Poor Richard’s Almanack("Poor Richard's Almanack Title “)

Primary Source Quotes

• Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack contained many iconic phases and expressions. ("Benjamin Franklin: Poor Richard's“) • These expressions act as a reflection of the ideals of the American

Revolution and of the times in general.• Although many are simple, witty quotes, when looked at as a whole

they help to paint a picture of the practical genius and observant nature of Benjamin Franklin.• They also represent the basics of the Scottish School of Common

Sense Philosophy

Primary Source Quotes

• He is no clown that drives the plow, but he that doth clownish things.

• If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the Philosophers-Stone.

• Fish & Visitors stink in 3 days. • Diligence is the Mother of Good-Luck. • Do not do that which you would not have

known. • Never praise your Cyder, Horse, or

Bedfellow. • Wealth is not his that has it, but his that

enjoys it. • Tis easy to see, hard to foresee.

• He that scatters Thorns, let him not go barefoot.

• There's none deceived but he that trusts.• God heals, and the Doctor takes the Fees.• If you desire many things, many things will

seem but a few. • Creditors have better memories than

debtors. • Don't throw stones at your neighbours, if

your own windows are glass.• The rotten Apple spoils his Companion. • A penny saved is a penny earned.• Admiration is the Daughter of Ignorance.("Benjamin Franklin: Poor Richard's“)

Impact & Influence

• Franklin’s impact on history can be seen in many different ways: (“Benjamin Franklin")• Science and Technology

• Unified Theory of Electricity• American Philosophical Society

• Inventions• The Franklin Stove• Bifocals• Swim fins• Glass Armonica (musical Instrument)

("Glassarmonica")

Impact & Influence

• However, Franklin’s greatest impact lies in his support and guidance of the process of American Independence. (“Benjamin Franklin”)• Although originally opposed to independence, Franklin became one

of the driving forces behind the American Revolution.• Along with John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, he skillfully helped

craft and get approved the Declaration of Independence.• Additionally, his work in securing French military and monetary

support for the colonists’ cause may have been the most important factor leading to the success of the American Revolution.

Symbol

• Benjamin Franklin and his kite are iconic images of American history• The story of Franklin flying his

kite with a key hanging on a string is one that all school children learn.

("A Statue of Young")

Symbol

• The Declaration of Independence is another symbol of this unique individual.• His core beliefs and ideals are

expressed in this document and his tireless work to secure the independence of the nation that was founded by it represent the essence of Benjamin Franklin.

("US Declaration of Independence")

Bibliography

1. "American Philosophical Society." ABC-CLIO American History. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/253374?terms=ben%20franklin&webSiteCode=SLN_AMHIST&returnToPage=%2fSearch%2fDisplay%2f253374%3fterms%3dben+franklin&token=02FAF05D7FA6004A857ECD0D4DECA6ED&casError=False>.

2. "Ben Franklin Duplessis." Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons, 25 Jan. 2012. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ABenFranklinDuplessis.jpg>.

3. "Benjamin Franklin." ABC-CLIO American History. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/246821?terms=ben+franklin>.

4. "Benjamin Franklin: A Man of Many Talents." ABC-CLIO American History. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1183181?terms=ben+franklin>.

Bibliography

5. "Benjamin Franklin Join or Die." Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons, 11 June 2010. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ABenjamin_Franklin_-_Join_or_Die.jpg>.

6. "Benjamin Franklin: Poor Richard's Almanack (1736)." ABC-CLIO American History. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/298725?terms=Poor+Richard%27s+Almanack>.

7. "Bifocals by Benjamin Franklin." Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons, 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ABifocals_by_Benjamin_Franklin_-_Franklin_Institue_-_DSC06605.JPG>.

8. "Coexist Bumpersticker." Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons, 9 Mar. 2007. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ACoexist-bumpersticker.jpg>.

Bibliography

9. "Declaration of Independence." Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons, 1 June 2013. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ADeclaration_independence.jpg>.

10. "Franklin Stove Cross-Sectional Diagram." Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons, 30 June 2012. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AFranklin_stove%2C_cross-sectional_diagram.jpg>.

11. "Glassarmonica." Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons, 12 July 2008. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AGlassarmonica.jpg>.

12. "Penn Campus." Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons, 16 Mar. 2007. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3APenn_campus_2.jpg>.

Bibliography

13. "Pennsylvania Chronicle 1769." Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons, 24 Oct. 2010. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3APennsylvania_Chronicle_1769.jpg>.

14. "The Pennsylvania Gazette." Accessible Archives. Accessible Archives, 2014. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://www.accessible-archives.com/collections/the-pennsylvania-gazette/>.

15. "The Pennsylvania Gazette." Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons, 17 Apr. 2007. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Pennsylvania_Gazette_-_1729-9-25_-_Project_Gutenberg_etext_20203.jpg>.

16. "Poor Richard's Almanack Title Page." ABC-CLIO American History. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 5 Sept. 2014.

Bibliography

17. "A Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin." US History.org. Independence Hall Association, 1999-2014. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/info/index.htm>.

18. "A Statue of Young Benjamin Franklin with Kite by Carl Rohl Smith 1893." Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons, 23 Nov. 2012. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AStatue_of_young_Benjamin_Franklin_with_kite_-_by_Carl_Rohl-Smith_-_1893.jpg>.

19. "US Declaration of Independence." Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons, 18 Dec. 2011. Web. 5 Sept. 2014. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AUS_Declaration_of_Independence_5000w.jpg>.