Life and achievements
Early life
Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts Bay. He was the fifteenth of seventeen children to his parents, Josiah Franklin, a tallow chandler, and Abiah Folger, an indentured servant. Franklin’s parents were devout Puritans, and he was baptized at the Old South Meeting House. His father wanted him to become a priest, but the family could only afford to send him to school for two years.
Franklin did not attend high school or finish Boston Latin School. However, he continued his learning process and read extensively. He started his working career at 12 when he joined his brother James, a printer, and learned the printing business. Franklin’s introduction to printing and publishing at a young age made him more inclined to writing and public affairs.
When he was not allowed to write for his brother’s newspaper, The New-England Courant, Franklin used the pen name 'Silence Dogood' and penned some letters published in the newspaper. His writings became popular, and when his brother discovered Silence Dogood was none other than his brother, they fell out. Franklin finally got out of his apprenticeship and moved to Philadelphia at 17.
In Philadelphia, Franklin got a job in several printing houses. He was later appointed by the then Pennsylvania Governor, Sir William Keith, to travel to London to purchase a printing press. Unfortunately for Franklin, when he got to London, he realized that Keith was not as honest as he had said he would be, and Franklin had to get a job as a typesetter. He returned to Philadelphia in 1726 and was taken in by Thomas Denham, who provided him with a job as a clerk, shopkeeper, and bookkeeper.
In 1727, at 21, Franklin created the Junto, a group of people who shared a common interest in intellectual and social matters. The Junto established the Library Company of Philadelphia, the first subscription library in the colonies, which was instrumental in Franklin’s learning process and the advancement of learning in society.
His early years in business as a printer and writer prepared him for the rest of his life. In 1729, he bought The Pennsylvania Gazette, which became one of the most profitable newspapers in the colonies. Franklin employed The Gazette to air his opinion and shape the public’s perception of matters.
Legacy
Franklin was a genius who left a significant imprint on the world and influenced many areas of life for the better. Franklin was one of the most influential people in the United States of America and one of the Founding Fathers. He wrote the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, which formed the basis of democracy in America.
Franklin played a significant role in the American Revolution and helped secure France’s support. He was charming and intelligent, and the French loved him; thus, an important alliance was formed, which allowed the colonies to free themselves from British rule. Franklin was also involved in diplomacy and signed the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War and acknowledging the United States of America.
Franklin made discoveries and inventions still relevant to this generation in science and innovation. His experiments with electricity, such as the famous kite experiment, helped him build on his knowledge of electrical occurrences. The invention of the lightning rod was one of the practical applications of his study in science; it was used to protect structures from lightning. Other inventions of Franklin, such as the bifocal lens and the Franklin stove, are still valuable to this date.
Franklin also played a significant role in education. He established the Academy and College of Philadelphia, which later became the University of Pennsylvania, and stressed the need to provide valuable education to society. Franklin was a firm believer that knowledge is power, which is why he founded the Library Company of Philadelphia, aimed at enhancing literacy in the colonies.
His many civic activities show Franklin’s passion for public service and the community. He set up the first volunteer fire department in Philadelphia, initiated the postal service, and helped form public hospitals and libraries. Franklin’s efforts to enhance society’s welfare through work and participation in the community paved the way for others.
Although Franklin was involved in the business of slavery in his early years, he became an abolitionist in his later years. He supported the education and integration of black people and was an abolitionist, which shows that he changed his opinions on equality and justice.
Franklin’s memory is preserved through depictions of money, especially on the $100 bill, and through the many towns, counties, and institutions named in his honor. He left behind many works, including his autobiography and many letters to people, which can still motivate and teach people. Franklin’s life and work are a perfect example of curiosity, innovation, and service to the public, contributing to the formation of the American identity.
Milestone moments
Apr 7, 1722
The Silence Dogood Letters
Franklin’s first piece of writing was a series of letters he penned at 16 under the pen name “Silence Dogood.”
His brother’s paper, The New England Courant, printed these letters.
The letters, written by a middle-aged widow, found a large audience due to the humor and satire incorporated into the writing.
Franklin’s works focused on social problems and contained criticism of the authorities and the church.
Thus, the success of the Silence Dogood letters can be considered the starting point of Franklin’s writing.
This milestone proved that Franklin was a gifted writer at an early age and was not afraid to oppose authority.
These letters helped enhance Franklin’s status and authority in the colonies.
Oct 24, 1729
Acquisition of The Pennsylvania Gazette
He bought The Pennsylvania Gazette, a newspaper that was doing very badly in Philadelphia.
Franklin consequently transformed the newspaper into one of the most profitable in the colonies.
As the editor of The Gazette, Franklin wrote on matters that pertained to social, political, and economic life.
The newspaper was an instrument through which Franklin could persuade the people and campaign for change.
Thus, the success of The Pennsylvania Gazette made Franklin one of the most prominent figures in the colonial media.
This event can be considered the beginning of Franklin’s success as a publisher and public figure.
The Gazette was one of the most influential newspapers in the colonies and contributed significantly to developing colonial discourse and enhancing the colonies’ political participation.
Oct 3, 1752
The Kite Experiment
Franklin carried out his famous kite experiment to establish that lightning is a kind of electricity.
He flew a kite during a thunderstorm and stored the electricity in a Leyden jar.
This experiment proved the electrical characteristic of lightning and thus supported Franklin’s theories.
His findings were published in the scientific community and were well-known.
The kite experiment also helped Franklin become one of the most prominent scientists in America at that time.
This discovery helped improve knowledge of electricity and paved the way for developing the lightning rod.
Franklin’s work in electricity opened up the possibilities for future generations of scientists to build upon his work.
Jul 26, 1775
Appointment as Postmaster General
The Continental Congress gave Franklin the position of Postmaster General.
Before this, he had been deputy postmaster-general for the British colonies.
Franklin also changed the structure of the postal service and made it more effective by providing a schedule for mail delivery.
He helped ensure the colonies were in touch and sync during the American Revolution.
The appointment acknowledged Franklin for his skills and efforts in the postal service.
This milestone highlighted Franklin’s contribution to developing a communication network crucial for the revolution.
Franklin’s job as the Postmaster General proved that he was a man of service and the development of structures.