An Electric Man: Benjamin Franklin

716 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Benjamin Franklin biography essay

Benjamin Franklin is a vital man in our history. Benjamin was an politician, writer, inventor, scientist, and so much more. He came into to this world on January 17, 1706. He had fairly humble beginning. His father was Josiah Franklin, a soap maker, and his mother was Abiah Folger. Benjamin was the tenth child out of seventeen children. Josiah sent Benjamin to clergy school, but could only afford it for one year. Benjamin went on to apprentice under his brother James as a printer. Benjamin wanted to write for James's paper, but he knew James would never allow it. To remedy this Benjamin wrote under the name Silence Dogood and slip the letters under the door of James's print shop. Eventually Benjamin confessed to the writings an James was not very happy about it. Benjamin decided leave in 1723 because he could no longer stand the harassment he received from James.
Benjamin set out for New York. He got there and started looking for a job as a printer. Unfortunately he could find no jobs as a printer available. Benjamin then set out for Philadelphia. He arrived in Philadelphia a peculiar sight, filthy with clothes stuffed into his pockets. Benjamin found a printer job and he attracted the attention of the governor of Pennsylvania who promised him to set him up a business if Benjamin went to London to get the supplies. Benjamin went to London, but the governor of Pennsylvania went back on his word and Benjamin was stuck in London for some months. Benjamin got back to Philadelphia and some time after opened up his own print shop. This was just the beginning of Benjamin's long successful life.
Benjamin's writing was just as witty, charming, and charismatic as he was. His letters under the pseudonym Silence Dogood were the first test...

... middle of paper ...

...o attended Benjamin's funeral. He did so many things for so many people through his writing, inventing, and involvement in poilitical matters. Benjamin was a loved and respected man and the fact that he is still loved and respected today says much more about him than I could ever say with words.

Works Cited
"Benjamin Franklin." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. .
"Benjamin Franklin's Inventions, Discoveries, and Improvements." Benjamin Franklin's Inventions. UShistory.org, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. .
"Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin." Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. .
"Writings." Writings. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. .

Show More
Related

  • Ben Franklin

    979 Words  | 2 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin was a remarkably talented man. He started his life as a printers apprentice, but went much farther then there. He developed things that were far more advanced than the time. Benjamin Franklin's stove for example, for cold winter nights, and bifocal lenses for reading. Franklin tracked storms to help understand the horrible weather endured by the colonies. But gis study of electricity made him mist famous and he was known world wide as the founder of the lightning rod. Not only was Benjamin Franklin helpful in developing ideas for better living, he was also a strong force in developing the new nation of America. Benjamin Franklins political views showed him to be a man who loved freedom and independence. His views towards England gradually changed from like to dislike until he finally

    Read More

  • Benjamin Franklin, His Talents and Shortcomings

    877 Words  | 2 Pages

    Franklin also assisted in the development of streetlights. Before, streetlights were not as useful due to its flawed structure. Franklin changed the sculpture of the streetlights from a rounded glass to a square-like glass, which made the lights durable and eventually assisted in efficient lighting system for the city. This became vital part in lowering the crime rate and improving the lives of many people. In addition, Benjamin Franklin was a great writer and excellent thinker who improved the printing press. (Quote)

    Read More

  • Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin Autobiography

    706 Words  | 2 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin is one of the most well-known men on earth! Everyone knows who he is, but not a lot of people have read about him. Mr. Franklin has an Autobiography that was published to us. In pages 411 through 417 of Benjamin Franklin Autobiography there is three topics Benjamin Franklin touches on when writing these five pages of his Autobiography. To begin with the first topic was about a library he opened up, the second topic he spoke about was about how he respects religion but doesn’t like religion controversy, and last but not least he wrote about thirteen virtues.

    Read More

  • The Legacy Of Benjamin Franklin And The Declaration Of Independence

    997 Words  | 2 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin is one of the most profound individuals in American history. He is a Diplomat, Writer, Inventor, a founding father, and holds the title as the “First American.” In 1706 Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony. He is the fifteenth of seventeen children that his father, Josiah Franklin, had. At the age of 8 years old Franklin attended school, here he learned literacy. In spite of his successes in school, he had to drop out at the young age of 10 to assist his father with his business. Franklin did not enjoy working for his father’s business, however he had to work at his father’s shop for about 2 years. Josiah then had Benjamin apprenticed to his little brother, James, who was a printer. James is the founder

    Read More

  • Benjamin Franklin: One Of The Greatest Thinkers, Inventors And Leaders In American History

    1288 Words  | 3 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin is considered one of the greatest thinkers, inventors and leaders throughout American history. This Founding Father of the United States was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706 and spent his childhood there until finally moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a teenager. Franklin was a leader in politics and science. Franklin lived for 84 years and passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1790. Although conspiracy theorists may disagree, Franklin was not clearly for or against organized religion during his lifetime. We see this in his autobiography that he wrote at the age of 79.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Franklin

    1804 Words  | 4 Pages

    He was never a president of the United States, nor did he lead any army in a battle. He had no talent in public speaking, preferring to write out his thoughts on paper and for them to be read aloud by others. Yet in his day he was certainly one of the most well known celebrities, beloved in both the United States and through most of Europe. He is Benjamin Franklin, and he has become a symbol of American civilization.

    Read More

  • The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

    1074 Words  | 3 Pages

    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 emphasis on his need to live a virtuous and morally perfect life. Throughout his story, Benjamin Franklin tells his son of his many virtuous acts and momentous achievements, motivating the question as to whether he seeks his own approval more so than the approval of his peers.

    Read More

  • The Life of Benjamin Franklin

    1739 Words  | 4 Pages

    He accomplished many things, but he started at the bottom of the career chain. Benjamin had many different jobs before he settled. His first job was helping his father make candles. But at age twelve he became restless and ran away to Philadelphia to work. At first, he worked for his brother-in-law as a printer's apprentice, but family problems caused him to find work elsewhere. Because of the training he received, he started to work for the Pennsylvania Gazette and purchased the company in 1729. In 1748, he sold the paper and went to work for the government. During his life he was a printer, author, inventor, and diplomat.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Benjamin Franklin Of Old Philadelphia

    509 Words  | 2 Pages

    Ben Franklin was born in Boston on a Sunday in January of 1706. His father was a candle maker and had many sons. Ben from a young age was a very adventurous boy, he was often getting in trouble. As a teen Ben Franklin went to work with his brother as a newspaper printer. Ben was in love with books and wanted to write a column in his brothers paper. He and his brother argued several times and Ben ran away to New York but soon ended up in Philadelphia running his own newspaper company. Ben Franklin was a scientist and inventor, we’ve all heard about Ben with electricity. Ben Franklin was also a major founding father of the constitution and was viewed as a very patriotic person.

    Read More

  • The Benjamin Franklin Story

    1030 Words  | 3 Pages

    Bedridden at the ripe age of 84, Ben Franklin passed away. Over 20,000 people attended his funeral ("Benjamin Franklin"). Why not? He was and still is one of the greatest people to ever live.

    Read More

  • Patriot

    2213 Words  | 5 Pages

    The note was an invitation to a meeting in Charles Town, where the colonies would decide whether they’d join the cause or not. Benjamin and family left for Charles Town to stay with their aunt Charlotte on their mother’s side. Benjamin and Charlotte had a spark between them, but Benjamin was not yet his wife. At the meeting, an argument over why the colonies should all unite was at full strength. Benjamin, who was thought to be a Patriot, stood and made a point as to why he should not join the war, and offered an alternative to war.

    Read More

  • Why I admire Benjamin Franklin

    704 Words  | 2 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin completed many accomplishments from childhood to adulthood. When he was just 22 he established his first printing business with a partner, Hugh Meredith. Benjamin soon bought out Hugh Meredith's share. In 1732, when Franklin was only 26 he published the first edition of 'Poor Richards Almanack,' the book shows evidence that it was successful for 25 years. 'Poor Richards Almanack' allowed Franklin to retire from business a rich man in 1748. In 1741 Benjamin Franklin invented the Franklin Stove. The stove was handy for both, heating a room or cooking. In 1752 Benjamin Franklin conducted his famous electricity experiment with a kite. In 1757 Franklin returned to England as a Colonial agent for Pennsylvania. Next, in the year of 171 Benjamin began to write his own autobiography. In 1775 as a member of the Continental Congress, Franklin advocated separation from England. In 1776 Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence, in the fall he goes to France to plead the American cause. In 1778, Benjamin arranged the American Alliance with France, which soon led...

    Read More

  • Information To Those Who Would Remove To America

    902 Words  | 2 Pages

    At a time of hardship and human progression in North America especially in the 1700’s one name specifically shines out amongst all others. That name is Benjamin Franklin; a visionary inventor, politician, and true American hero.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Franklin: An Inspirational Self-Made Man

    1491 Words  | 3 Pages

    A general theme in Franklin's writings is the differences between the private and public self and how the two interact. Parts One and Two of his Autobiography were written at different times and intended for different audiences. In Part One Franklin is speaking to his Son, (who was then the Governor of New Jersey) a public figure. It was started in 1771. Part Two was begun...

    Read More

  • Personal Freedom and Independence: The Works of Benjamin Franklin and Henry David Thoreau

    1787 Words  | 4 Pages

    Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. New York and Cincinnati: American Book Company, 1896. Web. 5 June 2012.

    Read More

More about An Electric Man: Benjamin Franklin

Open Document