Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was an American statesman whose efforts were critical to the success of the American Revolution. He has been called "the First American." He served as a diplomat to Britain (before 1775) and in France during the Revolution. He assisted Thomas Jefferson in writing the Declaration of Independence and was instrumental in facilitating compromises in the U.S. Constitution. Franklin was a world class scientist during the Enlightenment, famed for his discoveries in electricity and his invention of the lightning rod. He was a noted printer and civic leader in Philadelphia.
Early Life
Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts into a Puritan family. His father was Josiah Franklin, a soap and candle maker, that was twice married and had 17 children. Originally Josiah planned for his son to enter the ministry, but after 2 years of schooling changed his mind. Benjamin briefly worked as an apprentice under his father before being apprenticed to his brother James, who was a printer, at the age of 12. After losing the contract to print one of Boston's newspapers, James created the first independent newspaper in the colonies, a weekly publication called the New England Courant. The Courant became Franklin's first public forum and he began writing essays under the pseudonym Silence Dogood. Franklin, taking the position of a widow, wrote 14 essays between April and October 1722. The Courant would draw the attention of the local authorities, who prohibited James from publishing it, because they claimed it mocked religion. In order to continue printing, James released his brother from his apprenticeship and named him the publisher. Control would eventually be handed back over to James, but Benjamin would use this release to run away to Philadelphia in 1723 at the age of 17.
Printer and Civic Leader
In Philadelphia, he found work as a printer working for Samuel Keimer. Franklin was persuaded by governor William Keith that he needed to go into business for himself. Offering letters of credit, he suggested Franklin go to London to purchase equipment. When he arrived in London on Christmas Eve, 1724, he found that Keith had no credit to provide. Deciding to make the most of the situation, he found work at local print shops. In July of 1726, he would return to Philadelphia with the aide of Thomas Denham, a Quaker merchant he had met on his voyage to London. Denham paid for Franklin's trip in exchange for work in his general store. After a short employment with Denham, Franklin was forced to return to Keimer's print shop. Again, Franklin would not stay in Keimer's service long, and in 1728, with the backing of the father of his fellow apprentice and partner Hugh Meredith, went into business for themselves. Meredith would soon be bought out giving Franklin full control of his own print shop. In October 1729, Franklin began publishing The Pennsylvania Gazette, which he bought from his former employer.
In September 1730, Franklin married Deborah Read, although there was no official ceremony. Deborah was legally married, her husband fleeing the country to avoid paying a debt. Although there were reports of his death, nothing was confirmed, and Franklin and Read began living together as a married couple to avoid legal issues. Around this time, Franklin fathered an illegitimate son named William, who was raised in his new household. In 1732, Deborah gave birth to their first son, Francis, who died of smallpox at the age of 4, leading Franklin to become an advocate of vaccinations.
In late 1732, began writing and publishing Poor Richard's Almanack, under the guise of Poor Richard Saunders and his wife, Bridget. It's purpose was to provide practical knowledge to the common man, while interjecting a healthy dose of humor. Franklin had a knack for taking existing proverbs and rewording them in a wittier manner. Franklin's wit was instrumental in separating Poor Richard's from the other almanacs being printed in Philadelphia. It also served as an outlet for Franklin's desire toward self improvement and helping others. It became an annual publication from 1732 to 1758.
Throughout the 1730's, he further demonstrated his civic-mindedness by creating and organizing community services in Philadelphia. He did this with the help of the Junto, also known as the Leather Apron Club, a group of friends and fellow tradesmen that had formed a social club in 1727. He established America's first subscription library, the Library Company of Philadelphia, in 1731. In 1736, he organized the first volunteer fire department, the Union Fire Company. He was also an advocate for a more organized police force, which he was eventually able to do by 1752.
Bibliography
- Becker, Carl Lotus. "Benjamin Franklin," Dictionary of American Biography (1931) vol 3, with hot links online
- Isaacson, Walter. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (2004)