Benjamin Franklin as a Self-Made Man The story of Franklin as the self-made man begins with him being the first man who rose from poverty to prominence, and was the most important black American leader. No one else in American history started out so low and gradually ended up so high. After Franklin no man could claim to be self-made without producing his own unlikely beginnings and becoming a prominent man. His story as a self-made man began with his interest and talents as a writer. In his Autobiography he talks about his path to prosperity “one who would thrill later generations even as they misinterpreted’ (Perkins). The first page explains that the future generations might take interest in his life in account of having emerged from the state of “affluence and same degree of reputation in the world” (Perkins). Franklin the printer and self-made man became a figure of American History. He was also unique in the way that he followed 13 virtues that are listed in his autobiography as: (Temperance, silence, order, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, claimless, tranquility, chasisity, and Humidity). …show more content…
His philosophies and principles in his autobiography are examples of the American dream that explain a rag to riches story. He was often refereed to as the Electric Ben Franklin. He was commercially successful, involved with the public good, a great communicator, and man of science and technology who found solutions to the real problems. Franklin was the epitome of the Enlightenment during the eighteen-century. His type of behavior demonstrated the fundamental concepts of the Age of reason which was “faith in the reality of the world as revealed to the senses, distrust of the mystical or mysterious confidence in the attainment of progress by education and humanitarianism that provide solutions to all human problems”
Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts and died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the age of 84. He can be described as a many-sided Renaissance American since during his life he developed great careers as a writer, publisher, scientist, inventor, diplomat and politician. Even though he accomplished these many tittles in his life, he never received a formal education longer than 2 years due to his parent’s economic position, being this the main reason why he got sent to work at the young age of 13, being his first job at his dad’s printing press. Franklin ran away from home at the age of 17 pursuing his dream of having his own printing shop and newspaper, where he could publish all his letters and writings without the
Franklin was one of seventeen children in all, born to a maker of candles and soap (“The 485”). Once Franklin become tired of working for his father, he proceeded to go to work for a brother. Even though Franklins iniquitous brother led him to fleeing away at a young age, nothing could compare to that of Douglass’ enslavement. Since Douglass was a stripling of a slave, he was “separated [from his mom] at infancy —before [he] knew her as [his] mother” (Douglass). Both men having lived difficult lives, one more extreme than the other, reached success all while being self-made
Benjamin Franklin, while not specifically trying to define a statesman, wrote a list of twelve virtues he aspired to attain in his attempt at achieve moral perfection. After scouring Christian teachings, Biblical revelations and classical works, he determined that temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality,
Benjamin Franklin is known to be an “Archetypal American,” because of his beliefs on religion, self-improvement, hard work, and determination; but also his somewhat prideful spirit. Much of modern America is quite similar to Franklin in his actions throughout his lifetime. In his early years, Franklin’s father, Josiah, had a set plan for what he was supposed to do with his life, as a minister. Soon into his education, he found an interest in reading and writing, so he began pursuing a career in printing.
Fredrick Douglas and Benjamin Franklin are both one of the most famous successful in American history. They both followed a certain milestone to make them successful. Even though they are considered hard workers, they both have different obstacles and different views in their lifestyle. Fredrick Douglas used to be a slave who was a fugitive and Benjamin Franklin was young white man who had a rough time with his parent because his parents are very abusive to him. By comparing the difference and similarities by these two great people in American history even though they had their rough times, that does not stop them from their success.
Benjamin Franklin: The Inventor of the American Dream Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States. He was a brilliant and a creative man. He was experienced in many different fields. For example, he was an important diplomat, a talented inventor, and a famous author after publishing his own autobiography. In general, he was a polymath who had an important role in the early life of America.
Scientist, diplomat, and inventor are three elements that describe Benjamin Franklin. Many people know that Benjamin Franklin studied electricity, but he did so much more. As a well known diplomat, Ben Franklin, showed Americans that they should be freed from British rule by fighting for their freedom. He left a lasting legacy as a Revolutionary War hero, a founding father, and a great scientist. The origin of Benjamin Franklin started when he ran away from his family at the age of 17.
Benjamin Franklin was a self taught writer unlike a lot of other people. He had a brilliant sense of humor always making jokes. He was very independent minded, always thinking to himself and a little bit stubborn sometimes. He was a journalist, his primary job or hobby was also being a journalist so his hobby and job were the same, he loved it so much he bought the Pennsylvania Gazette he was involved in some of the most important documents like the declaration of independence and he was even signed some
Benjamin Franklin: The Archetypal American Modern American identity revolves around self improvement. Americans seek to improve themselves in all areas of life, be it socially, financially, or physically. Americans accomplish these goals through education and observing the successes of others. Benjamin Franklin, a man who is frequently admired by fellow Americans, embodies many of these qualities and, as such, has become an archetype of success and of what it means to be American. Benjamin Franklin is an archetypal American because of his values of self-improvement, community-mindedness, and frugality.
Born in 1706 as the eighth of 17 children to a Massachusetts soap and candlestick maker, the chances Benjamin Franklin would go on to become a gentleman, scholar, scientist, statesman, musician, author, publisher and all-around general genius were astronomically low, yet he did just that. Franklin wrote in the Age of Enlightenment, an intellectual revolution in the 18th century. The ideals of the enlightenment are still thought of today, as they are a part of the United States’ Declaration of Independence and Constitution. When one remembers Benjamin Franklin very few people are aware of the fact that he worked as a printer until the age of 42. As a printer he had access to substantial amounts of literature.
He talks about things from the “establishment, that which [he] first formed, called the Union Fire Company” (Franklin 82) which was a big deal back then to inventing a new fireplace. He writes about his good deeds because Franklin wants to show what good Americans can do. His son would probably not have care as much, but the general public would care how Americans can prosper. Part three is all about how he prospered, how he lived the ‘American Dream’ Some believe that Benjamin Franklin wrote about his good deeds because he wanted to show Great Britain how great America was. He wanted to show that they could grow and prosper, that the Americans do not need Great Britain to survive, that they are fine by themselves, maybe ever
The advantage of having many past experiences and being an old man is a great way to get attention from others. A wise old man who is willing to take any judgement or risk for what is best for his country and the people. Benjamin Franklin , author of the “Speech in the Convention” (1787), persuade his audience with the rhetorical techniques, by comparing the delegates through allusions and humbling his own ethos in order to convince the congress to pass the constitution by its flaw. Benjamin Franklin effectively utilize allusions by comparing the delegates, so they could approve the constitution. Franklin states that the delegates is likely going to end up the same as “the builders of Babel” with the states of separation to “cutting one another’s throats” in order to make the members of the congress fear of the future (43).
The importance of Ben Franklin has been told all throughout history, along with the famous $100 bill with his face on it. Drafting the Declaration of Independence, foudning universities and libraries, the post office, shaping policies in the U.S., publishing newspapers, making advances in science, and letting us use bifocals and using lighting for electricity. Even if this man never finished school, he did much reading and experiments that help us out today. The reason why I chose to write about Benjamin Franklin was because he was a very important Founding Father and it’s important for people to learn all about
For most people, aspirations and dreams are a part of growing up. For a certain boy in the early 1700’s, his dream was to become a sailor. Even though that specific dream never came true, he diligently worked at everything he came in contact with, whether he liked it or not. That diligence eventually paid off, making him successful at everything he did. This boy was Benjamin Franklin, and his perseverance, hard work, and ingenuity made him one of the most famous Founding Fathers of our country.
At the start of the 18th century, the beginning of the Enlightenment was upon America. There were many factors and people who help play a part in the Enlightenment or, in other words, the Age of Reason, some of the people that assisted the enlightenment was Thomas Jefferson, John Locke, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adam. Each of the philosophers demonstrates the fundamental idea of the Enlightenment like liberalism, rationalism, conservatism, toleration and scientific progress. Even though each person played an important part, the most influences person that was involved was Benjamin Franklin. Throughout Benjamin Franklin`s life, he demonstrates through his action and writing that he was the epitome of the Enlightenment by showing that he was