Benjamin Franklin ( )

Benjamin Franklin( ) Benjamin Franklin was not only one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a leading writer, publisher, inventor, diplomat, scientist, and philosopher. He is well-known for his experiments with electricity and lightning, and for publishing "Poor Richard's Almanac" and the Pennsylvania Gazette.

Benjamin Franklin( ) u He served as Postmaster General under the Continental Congress, and later became a prominent abolitionist. u He is credited with inventing the lightning rod, the Franklin Stove, swimfins and bifocals. u He believed in giving back to his country u He was civic-minded and started lending libraries and volunteer fire departments.

Benjamin Franklin( ) u Life: Jack of all trades u Literary works u Benjamin Franklin and The Autobiography

Achievements u Jobs: printer/writer/newspaperman; Almanac u Inventor u Organization leader u Volunteerism u Community improvement u Becoming American u Confronting the British u French support gained in 1777

Life: Jack of all trades  Born in a poor candle maker ’ s family in Boston u No regular education u Became a apprentice of a printer when he was 12 u A editor of a newspaper and published lots of essays when he was 16 u Went to Philadelphia when he was 17

Life: Jack of all trades u A successful printer and publisher u Retired when he was 42 u A scientist with lots of inventions and a famous experiment (kite, electricity, thunderstorm) u A famous statesman (the only America who once signed all the four documents that created the new country) u An example who made the American Dream come true

Literary works  Poor Richard ’ s Almanac –Modeled on farmers ’ annual calendar; kept publishing for many years; includes many classical sayings, such as “ A penny saved is a penny earned. ” u The Autobiography: Written in parts for his son

Benjamin Franklin and The Autobiography u First of its kind in literature u Writing began when he was 65 u An introduction of his life to his own son u Including four parts written at different times  Puritanism ’ s influence, such as self- examination and self-improvement (timetable, thirteen virtues, life style)

Benjamin Franklin and The Autobiography u Enlightenment spirits (man’s nature good, rights of liberty, virtues includes “order”) u Style: simple, clear in order, direct and concise (“Nothing should be expressed in two words that can as well be expressed in one.”) (Puritanism’s influence) u Popular, still well-read today, his values and style still influence lots of Americans

What to do next u Read Autobiography excerpt u Answer questions on the side u Write about one aphorism u Write about two virtues u Submit aphorism and two virtues on google classroom- due Friday

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