17,394
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 4:
Line 4: − Early in life, Franklin developed a love of reading. As he recalled in his autobiography, ''"From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books. Pleased with the [[Pilgrim's Progress]], my first collection was of [[John Bunyan]]'s works in separate little volumes. My old favorite author, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress ... has been translated into most of the languages of [[Europe]], and suppose it has been more generally read than any other book, except perhaps the [[Bible]]."'' + − + + − Franklin became one of Philadelphia's leading citizens, founding a sanitation department, a fire brigade, the American Philosophical Society, and the first circulating library in British North America. + + + + − + − + − + − + − Until the end of the [[American Revolution]], he was easily the most famous American in the world. He was one of the most prominent of the Founding Fathers, early political figures and statesmen of the [[United States]].+ − − He served as the [[Continental Congress]] ambassador to [[France]], where where he was instrumental in obtaining military and economic support for the struggle against England. In [[Paris]], Franklin attracted attention by attending many of the salons and downplayed his status as Dr. Franklin. Instead, he sometimes cultivated the image of a rustic American, sometimes wearing a coonskin cap. Franklin's popularity helped in securing monetary and later military support from France. − Franklin is responsible for the nomenclature of "positive" and "negative" charge. He believed he could tell the direction in which electricity traveled by observing sparks. Unfortunately he was wrong; the electrons, which are the particles carrying ordinary [[electricity]], move in the opposite of the direction he thought they did. As a result, when electrons were discovered, according to Franklin's designation they had to be considered as having a negative charge — creating a minor headache for scientists and engineers. + + − Benjamin Franklin guided the establishment of the [[University of Pennsylvania]], which was chartered as nonsectarian. According to the University, it was "a new type of learning institution, that unlike other [[American]] Colonial colleges, would not focus on education for the clergy, but would instead prepare students for lives of business and public service. The proposed program of study would become the nation's first modern liberal arts curriculum."<ref>http://www.upenn.edu/about/heritage.php</ref> In ''Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania [sic]'', (1749) he outlines an essentially secular curriculum. Religion is to be taught under the rubric of History; Franklin, however, makes a point of saying that − :"History ''will also afford frequent Opportunities of showing the Necessity of a ''Publick Religion,'' from its Usefulness to the Publick; the advantage of a Religious Character among private Persons; the Mischiefs of Superstition, &c. and the Excellency of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION above all others, antient and modern."'' − During Franklin's time in England, he was a member of the [[Lunar Society]] based in [[Birmingham]], creators of the [[Industrial Revolution]], and also the [[Hellfire Club]] of Sir Francis Dashwood. + + + + + + + Line 65:
Line 72: − + − − Benjamin Franklin famously stated: − − − In the realm of speculation, in 1998 workmen restoring Franklin's [[London]] home dug up the remains of six children and four adults hidden below the home,<ref>[http://benfranklin.tribe.net/thread/510cda6f-3ee8-4ef1-86b4-9525f4ed28c4]</ref> the remains showed signs of dissection, and may have been related to medical research of the time. Franklin lived there during the 1750's and 1760's.<ref>[http://www.upenn.edu/gazette/0998/0998gaz5.html Bones in the Basement of Franklin's London Digs]</ref> − − == See also == − − *[[Edmund Burke]]
reorganize
==Biography==
==Biography==
==Priner==
As a youth, Franklin was apprenticed to his older brother James, as a printer. Using several different pen names, Benjamin contributed many articles to Jame's [[newspaper]]. However, Benjamin felt his brother mistreated him and in 1723, he ran away to Philadelphia, then the largest city in British North America.
As a youth, Franklin was apprenticed to his older brother James, as a printer. Using several different pen names, Benjamin contributed many articles to Jame's [[newspaper]]. However, Benjamin felt his brother mistreated him and in 1723, he ran away to Philadelphia, then the largest city in British North America.
In Philadelphia, Franklin began publishing the ''Pennsylvania Gazette'', which was the longest lived and most successful of colonial newspapers. He published his ''Poor Richard's Almanack'' for twenty-five years; it was filled with witty sayings penned by Franklin and others. Franklin often borrowed material and rewrote it as he saw fit.
In Philadelphia, Franklin began publishing the ''Pennsylvania Gazette'', which was the longest lived and most successful of colonial newspapers. He published his ''Poor Richard's Almanack'' for twenty-five years; it was filled with witty sayings penned by Franklin and others. Franklin often borrowed material and rewrote it as he saw fit.
==Civic leader==
Franklin became one of Philadelphia's leading citizens, founding a sanitation department, a fire brigade, the American Philosophical Society, and the first circulating library in British North America.
Benjamin Franklin guided the establishment of the [[University of Pennsylvania]], which was chartered as nonsectarian. It was a new type of institution, unlike rival colleges it did not primarily train clergy. Instead it educated students for careers in the professions and business and for public service. It established America's first modern liberal arts curriculum."<ref>see [http://www.upenn.edu/about/heritage.php online]</ref> During Franklin's time in England, he was a member of the [[Lunar Society]] based in [[Birmingham]], creators of the [[Industrial Revolution]], and also the [[Hellfire Club]] of Sir Francis Dashwood.
==Scientist==
By age 42, Franklin was wealthy enough to retire from newspapering, and devoted most of his time to his scientific pursuits. Franklin invented bi-focal lenses, a heat efficient stove, and the swivel chair. His famous experiment with a kite won him membership in the prestigious [[Royal Society]], but it also had a practical effect. It also led to Franklin’s invention of the lighting rod, and increased his fortune when he was contracted to outfit all the ships in the [[British Navy|Royal Navy]] with lighting rods. By 1750, Franklin was easily the most famous of the King’s North American subjects.
By age 42, Franklin was wealthy enough to retire from newspapering, and devoted most of his time to his scientific pursuits. Franklin invented bi-focal lenses, a heat efficient stove, and the swivel chair. His famous experiment with a kite won him membership in the prestigious [[Royal Society]], but it also had a practical effect. It also led to Franklin’s invention of the lighting rod, and increased his fortune when he was contracted to outfit all the ships in the [[British Navy|Royal Navy]] with lighting rods. By 1750, Franklin was easily the most famous of the King’s North American subjects.
Franklin is responsible for the nomenclature of "positive" and "negative" charge. He believed he could tell the direction in which electricity traveled by observing sparks. He was wrong; the electrons, which are the particles carrying ordinary [[electricity]], move in the opposite of the direction he thought they did. As a result, when electrons were discovered, according to Franklin's designation they had to be considered as having a negative charge.
==Colonial leader==
While Franklin thought of himself as a loyal subject, he did question some of the Crown’s actions. In 1754, he proposed the [[Albany Plan of Union]], which would have united the colonies (and the Iroquois League as well) under a Royal governor, and given the colonies the power to tax themselves. Many of the colonies did not send representatives to Albany, and nothing came of the plan.
While Franklin thought of himself as a loyal subject, he did question some of the Crown’s actions. In 1754, he proposed the [[Albany Plan of Union]], which would have united the colonies (and the Iroquois League as well) under a Royal governor, and given the colonies the power to tax themselves. Many of the colonies did not send representatives to Albany, and nothing came of the plan.
Franklin put his prestige on the line to assist the expedition of British general [[Edward Braddock]] to capture Fort Duquesne (present day [[Pittsburgh]]) from the [[France|French]]. [[Pennsylvania]]’s legislature refused to help provide supplies for the expedition, so Franklin made an appeal for colonists to provide provisions, horses, and wagons for Braddock’s army. In his autobiography, Franklin recalled questioning Braddock about the expedition’s chances of success. Braddock assured him he would easily capture the fort. After the disaster that Braddock met on the Monongahela, Franklin was less sanguine about accepting professional military opinion.
Franklin put his prestige on the line to assist the expedition of British general [[Edward Braddock]] to capture Fort Duquesne (present day [[Pittsburgh]]) from the [[France|French]]. [[Pennsylvania]]’s legislature refused to help provide supplies for the expedition, so Franklin made an appeal for colonists to provide provisions, horses, and wagons for Braddock’s army. In his autobiography, Franklin recalled questioning Braddock about the expedition’s chances of success. Braddock assured him he would easily capture the fort. After the disaster that Braddock met on the Monongahela, Franklin was less sanguine about accepting professional military opinion.
==Colonial agent in London==
In 1757, Franklin went to [[London]] to represent Pennsylvania in its quarrel with [[William Penn]]’s heirs (Pennsylvania was the last of the propriety colonies). He remained abroad for eighteen years, not returning to American until 1775.
In 1757, Franklin went to [[London]] to represent Pennsylvania in its quarrel with [[William Penn]]’s heirs (Pennsylvania was the last of the propriety colonies). He remained abroad for eighteen years, not returning to American until 1775.
During Franklin’s tenure in [[England]], he also represented several other colonies and became a regular observer, and unofficial representative of the colonies. In 1765, he assured British politicians that Americans would accept the [[Stamp Act]], but news of colonial protest caused him to back away from that position. Afterwards, Franklin regularly opposed English attempts to tax the colonies.
During Franklin’s tenure in [[England]], he also represented several other colonies and became a regular observer, and unofficial representative of the colonies. In 1765, he assured British politicians that Americans would accept the [[Stamp Act]], but news of colonial protest caused him to back away from that position. Afterwards, Franklin regularly opposed English attempts to tax the colonies.
==Champion of Independence==
Returning from England in 1775, Franklin surprised some by coming out in favor of independence. For Franklin, this stance carried a personal price. His son William, the Royal Governor of [[New Jersey]], remained loyal to the Crown, and father and son never reconciled.
Returning from England in 1775, Franklin came out strongly in favor of independence. For Franklin, this stance carried a personal price. His son William, the Royal Governor of [[New Jersey]], remained loyal to the Crown, and father and son never reconciled.
He understood the risks the [[Founding Fathers]] were taking and told them, "We must all hang together, or we shall hang separately."
He understood the risks the [[Founding Fathers]] were taking and told them, "We must all hang together, or we shall hang separately."
==Fame==
By 1780 Franklin was the most famous American in the world. He was one of the most prominent of the Founding Fathers, early political figures and statesmen of the [[United States]].
Franklin is one of the few non-presidents whose likeness appears on U.S. currency. Franklin graces the $100 bill while [[Alexander Hamilton]] appears on the $10 bill.
Franklin is one of the few non-presidents whose likeness appears on U.S. currency. Franklin graces the $100 bill while [[Alexander Hamilton]] appears on the $10 bill.
==Ambassador==
He served as the [[Continental Congress]] ambassador to [[France]], where where he was instrumental in obtaining military and economic support for the struggle against England. In [[Paris]], Franklin attracted attention by attending many of the salons and downplayed his status as Dr. Franklin. Instead, he sometimes cultivated the image of a rustic American, sometimes wearing a coonskin cap. Franklin's popularity helped in securing monetary and later military support from France.
==Republican==
Franklin believed strongly in the importance of political freedom to the American experiment. As such, he remarked, ''"those who would give up a little liberty, to gain a little security, deserve neither, and will lose both,"''.
Franklin believed strongly in the importance of political freedom to the American experiment. As such, he remarked, ''"those who would give up a little liberty, to gain a little security, deserve neither, and will lose both,"''.
==Religious Beliefs==
==Religious Beliefs==
Early in life, Franklin developed a love of reading. As he recalled in his autobiography, ''"From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books. Pleased with the [[Pilgrim's Progress]], my first collection was of [[John Bunyan]]'s works in separate little volumes. My old favorite author, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress ... has been translated into most of the languages of [[Europe]], and suppose it has been more generally read than any other book, except perhaps the [[Bible]]."''
In ''Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania'', (1749) he outlines an essentially secular curriculum. Religion is to be taught under the rubric of History; Franklin, however, makes a point of saying that
:"History ''will also afford frequent Opportunities of showing the Necessity of a ''Publick Religion,'' from its Usefulness to the Publick; the advantage of a Religious Character among private Persons; the Mischiefs of Superstition, &c. and the Excellency of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION above all others, antient and modern."''
Franklin rejected the [[deism]] of his youth. In a draft autobiography written mostly in 1771, nearly 20 years prior to his death, Franklin described how he came to deism as a teenager.<ref>A year after Benjamin Franklin's death, his unfinished draft autobiography, entitled "Memoires De La Vie Privee," was published in Paris in March of 1791. [http://www.earlyamerica.com/lives/franklin/] </ref> He recalled that his ''"parents had early given me religious impressions, and brought me through my childhood piously in the Dissenting way. But I was scarce fifteen, when, after doubting by turns of several points, as I found them disputed in the different books I read, I began to doubt of Revelation itself. Some books against Deism fell into my hands; they were said to be the substance of sermons preached at Boyle's Lectures. It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough Deist."'' <ref>http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=Fra2Aut.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=all The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, p.57</ref>
Franklin rejected the [[deism]] of his youth. In a draft autobiography written mostly in 1771, nearly 20 years prior to his death, Franklin described how he came to deism as a teenager.<ref>A year after Benjamin Franklin's death, his unfinished draft autobiography, entitled "Memoires De La Vie Privee," was published in Paris in March of 1791. [http://www.earlyamerica.com/lives/franklin/] </ref> He recalled that his ''"parents had early given me religious impressions, and brought me through my childhood piously in the Dissenting way. But I was scarce fifteen, when, after doubting by turns of several points, as I found them disputed in the different books I read, I began to doubt of Revelation itself. Some books against Deism fell into my hands; they were said to be the substance of sermons preached at Boyle's Lectures. It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough Deist."'' <ref>http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=Fra2Aut.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=all The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, p.57</ref>
In 2006, ''Ben and Me'' was selected for the annual "One Book, One Philadelphia" project, in honor of Franklin's 300th birthday.
In 2006, ''Ben and Me'' was selected for the annual "One Book, One Philadelphia" project, in honor of Franklin's 300th birthday.
== Medicine ==
==Quotes and sayings==
:"If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what [[Medicine|medicines]] they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as the souls who live under tyranny."
:"If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what [[Medicine|medicines]] they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as the souls who live under tyranny."
==References==
==References==