Benjamin Franklin, the best representation of what can ensue from pursuing one’s ambitions. Franklin, the titled “First American,” strived to overcome obstacles life presented him in order to achieve beyond what others envisioned for him. Through the duration of his life, Franklin became a renowned figure for his influence on a range of topics such as science and politics. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment for his experiments and theories on electricity being deemed “The Father of Electricity.” Franklin is also credited for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. His ambition also allowed him to later become one of the seven most influential Founding Fathers. However, on his journey to becoming one of the most identifiable figures in American history, Franklins over confidence and self-absorption led him to undermine his values in order to cater to his ambition. History knows Benjamin Franklin for …show more content…
Franklin was a self-made man disregarded how the results of his actions affected others. For example, as described in his Autobiography, when Ben was 15, his brother James founded The New-England Courant, which was one of the first independent newspapers in the colonies. Ben later signed an 8-year apprentice agreement contract for his brother James’ print shop. After five years of working at The New-England Courant and taking advantage of all the resources available, seventeen-year old Ben betrayed his brother and broke his contract. In his Autobiography Ben paints James as a cruel, bossy older brother who treated him terribly throughout his time there. While he was admittedly biased in his portrayal of his older brother, James’ actions in viewed in modern day would be typical of eighteenth-century society in the colonies. Franklin knew his decision was disreputable, as stated in his
Out of all of the founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin in my opinion is the one who had the greatest impact on our nation and still has a great influence on our nation today. Mostly people are familiar with Benjamin Franklin from his head being on the front of the 100 dollar bill, but there’s more to him than just his face being on the 100 dollar bill. He made a huge impact on us and not everyone realizes it, but that’s how he made it on the 100 dollar bill. Not only was Benjamin Franklin apart of founding our nation, he was also scientist, diplomat, businessman, and philosopher. Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17th, 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts to soap maker Josiah Franklin and his second wife Abigail Folger. Benjamin Franklin was apart of a big family and he was the 10th child out of 16 siblings. His siblings names were Jane Mocum, James Franklin, Anne Harris, Joseph Franklin I, Samuel Franklin, Sarah Davenport, Mary Holmes, Hannah Cole, Josiah Franklin Jr, Ebenzer Franklin, Peter Franklin, Thomas Franklin, John Franklin, Lydia Scott, Elizabeth Douse, and Joseph Franklin II. When Benjamin Franklin was younger his father wanted him to become a preacher, so he sent him away to a grammar school when he was only eight years old. Less than a year later, the family went through some financial struggles so he had to be transferred to Mr. George Brownell’s school for writing and math. He only stayed at that school until he was about 10 years old. He was doing well in
The reason I chose him as a perfect founder is due to his incredible contributions to the science of electricity in which he discovered and played important roles to America’s eighteenth-century like military leader . I will be discussing on Franklin’s background, characteristics and his historic significance towards the United States. First off, Franklin is a self-made man coming from a multimillionaire family and was a worldwide renowned scientist. The governor of Massachusetts, Thomas Hutchinson, teamed up as good Enlightenment officers to the British
Benjamin Franklin Parker Griffin U.S. History 11/16/15 Benjamin Franklin was an inventor, Scientist, statesman, and many other impressing things. His ideas helped to change the way that people thought in the colonies. He is one of the best known founding fathers and was one of the most famous people of his time.
Benjamin Franklin, has contributed to US history with public health to poor people, now a days you can refer to health care from the government. Brought prosperity to American people to support medical plans. Later on, fundamentals goals he had were to build Education. As a result, he build a plan to enforce public library had the necessary resources because people buying books in those days was luxury.
Benjamin Franklin is revered by Americans as one of its most revered and adored founding fathers. 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. Franklin came to be seen as the embodiment of American values.
Benjamin Franklin was one of the most successful founding fathers of our nation and helped establish American independence from Great Britain. He was a key member in the development of the political backbone that has shaped this country into what it is today. Benjamin Franklin was one of the most humble and inspirational figures of that time. He was a major factor in the outcome of the war of Independence and in his selfless actions of leaving his family, won the help from the French to assist America in the fight against England. Although Benjamin Franklin never made it to be president he was a leader among his peers. He invented many things that we still use today such as the library, bifocals, and the postal service. He helped
If i could have dinner with any of these important people it would have to be Ben Franklin. Ben franklin was such an icon person and even though he is dead he still is an icon in today. He part of the reason why we are all here today. Ben Franklin was a very smart man he taught himself how to write even after his education stopped at the age of 10. As you can te he was very dedicated to his education.
Certainly Benjamin Franklin understood that these injustices occurred, but accounts of his involvement do not focus on his perception of individual circumstances. Instead, Benjamin Franklin is portrayed as a “bigger picture” idealist who is looking out for the fledgling Colonies in a broader sense. This is not to say that he never witnessed injustice and certainly he was a focal point for those complaints that originated from those Colonies that he represented, but the focus of the novel “My Brother Sam is Dead” was a microscopic viewpoint of a much larger struggle. It would also be negligent to think that Benjamin Franklin was without fault in either his personal or professional life. In fact, there are some accounts that he was very popular with the ladies and fathered a child with an unknown woman before he was married, but as this does not paint a rosy picture of one of our founding fathers, these facts are rarely discussed. Instead, students are introduced to Franklin as an infallible role model by many of his famous quotes, often embraced by institutions of learning, such as “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” , “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” and “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I
Acknowledging the potential opportunities and happiness he could attain, Franklin ventured elsewhere envisioning a brighter future for himself. Similar to the Puritans, he perceived his pursuit of happiness as liberation from control. A control that was maintained by his brother, Franklin states, “Though a brother, he considered himself as my master, and me as his apprentice” (100). Portraying Franklin’s inferiority to his brother, the decision to leave home not only symbolized freedom but the opportunity for him to explore his own individuality. Previously implied in his arrival to New York, Franklin displayed his consistent application of hard work and determination as he advanced forward in his journey despite rejection. Though the initial circumstances lacked serendipity, Franklin never once was assured in being guaranteed a job, yet he took the risk and never abandoned his interpretation of happiness. Never ceasing in his journey, Franklin understood that the pursuit of happiness was a journey opposed to something that was to be guaranteed. Hence, the work ethic he possessed indicates his belief in the pursuit of
Benjamin Franklin was one of the most celebrated of America’s founding fathers. A man who enjoyed many things and “he had many talents such as a printer a diplomat, a scientist, an inventor, a philosopher, an educator, and a public servant.” (“Benjamin Franklin”) As stated in Britannica, he was born in Boston on January 17, 1706 and died at the age of 84 on April 17, 1790. He was the He was very involved in the American Revolution. What did he do for the American Revolution? Ways that he influenced the War was when he warned the colonists that the French were coming, he stopped the stamp act, and he was a big part of the Declaration of Independence.
In The Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin recounts the many paramount experiences throughout his life that shaped him into great American figure he was known to be. On the opening page, Franklin reveals the book’s epistolary format by writing, “Dear Son,” going on to admit that he’s made some mistakes in the past and to recollect that past is a way to relive it. By divulging his desire to “change some sinister Accidents & Events” (Franklin 3) the author indicates how important it is for his son to observe as he amends his mistakes. Pride, virtue and vanity play a pivotal role in Benjamin Franklin’s life and the way he portrays himself to others. Instances occur where the author is shown gloating about his great accomplishments and he puts
It was the year 1706 in Boston, MA when Benjamin Franklin entered the world. Birthed after fourteen other siblings, Franklin's family structure is only one deciding factor in the way that this legendary tale pans out. A hero of American Revolution, this novel depicts 18th century realism accurately while logging Franklin's personal conception on human nature and social community. Many look at Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography as your typical rags to riches tale yet, the truth and falsehood throughout the pages is unknown, raising many questions and concerns. As this book was written in segments over a stretched period of time, we must analyze this account of his life, the struggles and successes which took place, and the outcome of such
Franklin sites a strong work ethic throughout his autobiography as a means of advancement in life. At 17 years of age, he ran away to New York and the first thing he did was to seek suitable employment. After experiencing many a hardship Franklin remained resolved and finally established himself in Philadelphia were he found work and much favor with whomever he acquainted himself with. He firmly was against wasting time on frivolous activities and encouraged the reader to mind their business and be industrious in all things. This too was a practice he implemented his whole life and was the reason he was rewarded on several occasions with better opportunities and advancement in business.
While Benjamin Franklin was a great man, this book has become quite famous and therefore could be interpreted in several different fashions. Several accounts in his life show how Franklin was a bitter man who managed to achieve much more than others. Several people he met in his life are thrown aside because they are either inferior or lack the determination that Franklin so frequently mentions. He famously insults John Collins by calling him a drunk who never accomplished anything with his work. Collins was perhaps a lazy man where drinking hindered his reasoning, willingness to work, and approachability. With a final fight Franklin tossed him into a river for refusing to row their boat, Collins leaves with the promise that he will repay
Benjamin Franklin was one of the first and most famous scientists in America. He was a man of many talents and interests. Franklin was always curios about they way things work, and he always tried to find ways to make them work better. Even though he started out as a published, he was always interested in science. However this interest soon became a passion to Franklin. He even retired from his publishing business to work in a laboratory with his mostly homemade equipment. Throughout his life Benjamin Franklin made many important discoveries and theories which greatly influenced future scientists and inventors.