Benjamin Franklin: Citizen of the World
1706-1790
Writer, businessman, inventor, scientist, political figure, diplomat, ladies' man, wit, and citizen of the world, Benjamin Franklin is one of the most remarkable figures in American history. He started life in Boston as part of a large family where he began one of his professions, that of writer and printer. Apprenticed to his brother, he assisted in putting out various publications as well as selling them on the street. They eventually published a popular newspaper, one of the first in Boston. When his brother got into difficulty, Benjamin left his birth city, eventually arriving in Philadelphia. Franklin soon found work in his familiar profession of printing. Traveling back and forth between Europe and America for much of his life, Franklin became increasingly sophisticated and astute as a businessman and entrepreneur. He eventually borrowed enough to set himself up as a printer in Philadelphia and soon managed a prospering enterprise, which expanded to include his own store, where he sold various products as well as books. He also became involved in various social and civic groups and became well-known as a sort of street corner philosopher. He established libraries and helped form a fire company.
Franklin was involved in many public works projects and also delved into experimenting with everything from electricity to eyeglasses. His Franklin stove remains famous to this day. His active service and public affairs soon led to his most important position as an agent for colonial interests in Great Britain. Although he became deeply enmeshed in London society, he eventually ran afoul of the English foreign office for supporting criticism of British policy in America. He arrived back in the United States just as the revolution was getting underway. As a member of the second Continental Congress he worked toward American independence and helped write the Declaration of Independence. He was eventually sent abroad again as a diplomat to Paris, where he was wildly popular with the French gentleman and especially ladies. After helping to negotiate the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which ended the American Revolution, he returned to the United States, and in his last major public act he served as a member of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
Ben Franklin's famous statement at the end of the Constitutional Convention, as recorded by James Madison, as well as book references.
For this project you should select one or two aspects of the great man's life, using sources from his writings as part of your essay.
Resources: These should help you get started.
Writing 121 | Updated February 15, 2011