Why Franklin Was A Thoroughbred Renaissance Man

“The Franklin File” by Victor M Parachin provides insight on many accomplishments Benjamin Franklin achieved in his lifetime. During the American Revolution, Franklin directed saboteurs and advocated reviving the use of an obsolete weapon by fine-tuning gunpowder manufacturing and championed use in combat states Parachin. Franklin’s role in the abolishment was very counterintuitive as he owned slaves himself for economics, yet still requested the abolishment of slavery to Congress. Parachin describes Franklin’s viewpoint as Franklin “argued that Congress had a duty to establish ‘the blessings of liberty…to all people living in the United States…without distinction of color’.” Politics wasn’t the lone niche Franklin had. Franklin expressed great personal pleasure inventing many useful items like his Double Spectacles, the president’s chair, Pennsylvania fireplace, and armonica which benefited many

At the start of the First Chapter, Franklin claims to write only so that his own life may be an example for his son of how one can live well and how one can get through hardships. He meant to show"…the conducing means...which…so well succeeded, my posterity…may find some of them suitable to their own situations." Franklin, B. (1909). The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. (New York: P F Collier & Son Company,

In The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, we are reading the path that one man took to go from a middle class child to a well respected adult. Benjamin Franklin created what we know today as the American dream. Today we understand the American dream to be that one can go from rags to riches with a little hard work. The autobiography is based around the age of reason and a time man was thought to be able to be perfected by means of science and invention. The Autobiography of Benjamin

“Three may keep a secret if one of them is dead.” Many people know the saying but do not know the man behind it. People from all over the eastern hemisphere came to the new world but none have made as big or great an impact as Benjamin Franklin. He was a pioneer in the field of science. Franklin was a skilled and widely-known writer. Benjamin Franklin was a hard working politician. Benjamin Franklin’s work in science, his involvement in politics, and his writings created a better society in colonial America.

“Ben Franklin Biography” helped me learn more about Benjamin Franklin. Before, I had mostly known him as the inventor or as one of the Founding Fathers. In this video, I was able to learn about his personal life. I admired his study ethic at a young age and thought it was interesting how he was a runaway. I was also surprised to learn about his partiality towards Great Britain and that it took him a while to side with the Revolutionists.

Franklin, himself climbed the ranks society “having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which [he] was born and bred to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world” (Franklin 27). He had been raised by a humble middle class family, not being promised much wealth or land, forcing him to make a name for himself. Franklin, a man of the enlightenment,

Early in Benjamin Franklins life, he faced a big challenge that led him to make choices to shape up his influencing character. It shows us that he had to work hard from an early age. This is a big challenge for him because he had to work from an early age along with becoming better academically. Growing up in a big family with so many siblings, he had to take care of himself. His father Josiah worked in a soap factory, along with making candles. Benjamin worked with his father until he was twelve years old, until he started to despise working with his father which made his father look for alternative jobs. Knowing Benjamin and his interest in education and books, his father suggested he worked for his older bother James, who was a printer.

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

His autobiography is the first example of the completion of the American Dream. Franklin talks about his life history as an example to exemplify the most significant American character and principles, like strength of mind, self-reliance, determination, hard work, penny-pinching, and dependence on a code of moral principles are the elements of achievement. He describes how he became an excellent citizen through lack of money and steady assiduousness. Franklin established the potential of life in the New World through his own rise of the social classes. His family was poor when he was a child, but despite that, he became a very rich and influential man. In addition, he declares that he pulled off his achievements through a diligent work ethic. He showed that even ordinary people in Boston possibly would, through industry, turn out to be great people of significance in America.

Franklin believed the "library afforded... the means of improvement by [the] constant study [to repair] the loss of the learned education... once intended.” (FRANKLIN Chapter 8) He continued to self-educate himself after not attending school and could not turn to a book to gain more knowledge in Philadelphia. He stumbled upon the thought of a subscription membership library to present a range of information to the community

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a detailed account of the illustrious experiences of Benjamin Franklin. Though the cultural differences in writing has changed since the 18th century one can learn a lot about one of America’s greatest forefathers through this book. It accounts for Franklin’s life when he was born January 17th, 1706 till the year 1757. Unfortunately, he died in 1790 and was never able to finish his autobiography. However, the book thoroughly details the early life of Benjamin Franklin.

It is easy to see Benjamin Franklin was no doubt an archetypal American. No one since him has ever had the same amount of success as him. He was a private businessman who made enough money to retire early and to spend the rest of his life in politics. Around this time period only the rich were able to retire early. He was industrious. Franklin continually put forth the idea of the industrious American. He had support from the middle-class who did not care if he was rich but he was a man who was self-made and worked hard. This American attitude was formed early and most of it by him. Franklin was also not judgmental came to decisions and conclusions as a businessman and politician. However, his attitude was non-judgmental with respect to a

Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography is an inspiring tale of his personal, as well as public achievement throughout his life. Franklin’s life embodies the exemplary model of a life composed of discipline, self-reliance and self improvement. From his humble beginnings as an apprentice candle and soap maker in his father’s business to a successful business man, author, philosopher, civil activist, politician scientist, inventor, and diplomat, above all Benjamin Franklin was, and still is, an American Icon and truly a pioneer of the American Dream.

Benjamin Franklin is considered one of the most realistic and wisest men in the history of America. He is known for his stand on the necessity for the individual to work hard and to be frugal in order to reach success. In the presented essay, “The Way to Wealth”, he makes mention of various aphorisms and pieces of advice which express his views and opinions about morals, ethics, life, taxes, debts, etc. Among those pieces of advice that he offers his audience, we find the phrase “employ thy time well if thou meanest to gain leisure; and, since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour.” Although much of his work is devoted to the importance of industry and of frugality, here Franklin discusses the difference between being lazy and having leisure. He places emphasis on how without working hard and in a conscious way, the individual will never be able to have time for pastimes or leisure. Instead of viewing laziness and fun as the ultimate goal an individual must aim for, Franklin advices about using the time in a profitable way. To him, labor brings more comfort than idleness or laziness, as when the individual is idle or bored, he manages to commit mischief. Moreover, it is his belief that one cannot just be in a useless position the whole time, lest poverty and necessity strike. Therefore, Franklin argues, it is important to find useful things to do with one’s time, but things that bring enjoyment, in order for one to work hard at them. Once the

Ben Franklin’s autobiography is a prime example of the American Dream. He starts life in a large family and is sent to find work fairly early. He grows into an educated, humble, and honorable man. Through his work in printing and writing he develops a formidable business and makes some money. Throughout his life he focuses greatly on achieving perfection, but finds that is not very practical, however it does lead him to happiness. He wrote this autobiography as a path, to live a life of virtue, mainly for his son. However, it has become a moral guide and tale of the so called American Dream. While there are several ways to interpret his writing and his character, Benjamin Franklin is one of the best examples of a pure and honest American.