Hero’s ProjectHero’s ProjectStep 5Step 5By Jordan Johnson

My Hero

Historical Hero Biography: Benjamin FranklinHistorical Hero Biography: Benjamin FranklinEarly LifeEarly Life

The biography of Benjamin Franklin: Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. He was the tenth son of soap maker, Josiah Franklin. Benjamin's mother was Abiah Folger, the second wife of Josiah. When Benjamin was 15-years old his brother started The New England Courant the first "newspaper" in Boston. Although there were two papers in the city before his brother’s, they only reprinted news from abroad. James's paper carried articles, opinion pieces written by his friends, advertisements, and news of ship schedules. Benjamin wanted to write for the paper too, but he knew that James would never let him. Ben began writing letters at night and signing them with the name of a fictional widow, Silence Dogood. Dogood was filled with advice and very critical of the world around her, particularly concerning the issue of how women were treated. Ben would sneak the letters under the print shop door at night so no one knew who was writing the pieces. They were a smash hit, and everyone wanted to know who the real “Silence Dogood” was.

Historical Hero Biography: Benjamin FranklinHistorical Hero Biography: Benjamin FranklinEarly LifeEarly Life

After about 16 letters; Ben confessed that he had been writing the letters all along. While James's friends thought Ben was quite precocious and funny, James scolded his brother and was very jealous of the attention paid to him. Running away was illegal. In early America, people all had to have a place in society and runaways did not fit in anywhere. Regardless Ben took a boat to New York where he hoped to find work as a printer; he did not so he walked across New Jersey, finally arriving in Philadelphia via boat. After debarking, he used the last of his money to buy some rolls. He was wet, disheveled, and messy when he fist met his future wife, Deborah Read on October, 6, 1723. She thought he was odd-looking, never dreaming that seven years later they would be married.

Historical Hero Biography: Benjamin FranklinHistorical Hero Biography: Benjamin FranklinWriting & InventionsWriting & Inventions

In 1729, Benjamin Franklin bought a newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette. Franklin not only printed the paper, but often contributed pieces to the paper under aliases. His newspaper soon became the most successful in the colonies. This newspaper, among other firsts, would print the first political cartoon, authored by Ben himself. Franklin's printing business was thriving in this 1730s and 1740s. He also started setting up franchise printing partnerships in other cities. By 1749 he retired from business and started concentrating on science, experiments, and inventions.  In 1743, he had already invented a heat-efficient stove — called the Franklin stove — to help warm houses efficiently. As the stove was invented to help improve society, he refused to take out a patent. Among Franklin's other inventions are swim fins, the glass armonica (a musical instrument) and bifocals. In the early 1750's he turned to the study of electricity. His observations, including his kite experiment which verified the nature of electricity and lightning brought Franklin international fame.

Historical Hero Biography: Benjamin FranklinHistorical Hero Biography: Benjamin FranklinPoliticsPolitics

Politics became more of an active interest for Franklin in the 1750s. In 1757, he went to England to represent Pennsylvania in its fight with the descendants of the Penn family over who should represent the Colony. He remained in England to 1775, as a Colonial representative not only of Pennsylvania, but of Georgia, New Jersey and Massachusetts. In 1765, Franklin was caught by surprise by America's overwhelming opposition to the Stamp Act. His testimony before Parliament helped persuade the members to repeal the law. He started wondering if America should break free of England. Franklin, though he had many friends in England, was growing sick of the corruption he saw all around him in politics and royal circles. Franklin, who had proposed a plan for united colonies in 1754, now would earnestly start working toward that goal. He started working actively for Independence. He naturally thought his son William, now the Royal governor of New Jersey would agree with his views, but William did not. William remained a Loyal Englishman. This caused a rift between father and son which was never healed.

Hero’s Biography: Benjamin FranklinHero’s Biography: Benjamin FranklinThe Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence

Franklin was elected to the Second Continental Congress and worked on a committee of five that helped to draft the Declaration of Independence. Though much of the writing is Thomas Jefferson's, much of the contribution is Franklin's. In 1776 Franklin signed the Declaration, and afterward sailed to France as an ambassador to the Court of Louis XVI. In part via Franklin's popularity, the government of France signed a Treaty of Alliance with the Americans in 1778. Franklin also helped secure loans and persuade the French they were doing the right thing. Benjamin Franklin was also on hand to sign the Treaty of Paris in 1783, after the Americans had won the Revolution.

Fictional HeroFictional Hero

Five CharacteristicsFive Characteristics

My fictional hero possess individualism and leadership

He is a quiet individual which makes leaders and government officials NOT look at him as a threat

His calm tendencies also make him sly as a fox

He is also very brave and honorable

He is also a little tricky and hard to figure out at times

10 Events Influenced By10 Events Influenced ByFictional HeroFictional Hero

1731- My Fictional Hero brought his famed feather pen at a store in Pennsylvania.

1732- My Fictional Hero wrote a book about a free nation and country.

1736- My Fictional Hero started a training service for all law enforcement.

1740-41- My Fictional Hero built the first fire place chimney.

1749- My Fictional Hero taught a college for three years.

10 Events Influenced By10 Events Influenced ByFictional Hero (continued)Fictional Hero (continued)

1750- My Fictional Hero came up with the first known periodic table element.

1752- My Fictional Hero founded a cancerous cell.

1754- My Fictional Hero drafted a plan to help poor and homeless people. 1776- My Fictional Hero served on the committee to draft plan for the poor and homeless people.

1783- My Fictional Hero helped end the Mardi Gras War in New Orleans.

10 Events Influenced By10 Events Influenced ByHistorical HeroHistorical Hero

1731 – Historical Hero establishes The Library Company of Philadelphia, the first lending library in America. Launches one of the colonies’ first printing franchises in South Carolina.

1732 – Historical Hero issues the first edition of Poor Richard’s Almanac, an instant best-seller that quickly becomes the most popular almanac in the colonies.

1736 – Historical Hero helps founded the Union Fire Company, which organizes and trains teams of firemen.

1740 to 1741 – Historical Hero designs the Pennsylvania Fire-place, now known as the Franklin stove.

1749 – Historical Hero founded the Academy and College of Philadelphia, later renamed the University of Pennsylvania.

1750 – Historical Hero designs the lightning rod to divert lightning from buildings during thunderstorms.

10 Events Influenced By10 Events Influenced ByHistorical Hero (continued)Historical Hero (continued)

1750 – Historical Hero designs the lightning rod to divert lightning from buildings during thunderstorms.

1752 – Historical Hero performs legendary kite and key experiment, confirming his theory that electricity existed in thunderclouds in the form of lightning.

1754 – Historical Hero drafts the Albany Plan of Union, urging the colonies to form a united defense against threats from the French and their Native American allies.

1776 – Historical Hero serves on the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence.

1783 – Historical Hero helps negotiate and signs Treaty of Paris, officially ending the Revolutionary War.

Historical Hero BibliographyHistorical Hero Bibliography“Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life. An Electric Mind.” http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/ Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). 1995-2014 Web 26 March 2014. 

“300 Years of Benjamin Franklin”. http://edsitement.neh.gov/300-years-benjamin-franklin National Endowment for the Humanities. 19 January 2013. Web 26 March 2014.

 “Benjamin Franklin 300”. http://www.benfranklin300.org/ National Endowment for the Humanities. 2008. Web 27 March 2014.

 “Benjamin Franklin: Early America's Renaissance Man”. http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/benjaminfranklin1.htm Social Studies for Kids. 2002-2009. Web 27 March 2014.