Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin is unmistakably the most resplendent figure in American history. Starting out as an apprentice, Franklin was to become a renowned printer, a great statesman, and an innovator always trying to find ways to improve his community. But how could this peasant apprentice become such an influential man in a large-scale society such as Philadelphia? This was the question that baffled and worried many aristocrats of the early eighteenth century. For Franklin was to become a household name and soon an inspiration to all that sought freedom from the wont class system. Franklin symbolized the classic cliche of rags to riches vividly throughout his lifetime. His resilience and genius truly gave America a rebirth in the right direction. However, unlike many other success stories he always managed to keep his attitude in perspective and on his goals. Franklin personally attributed his success to frugality and common sense (Looby 25). Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. He was the youngest boy of a very traditional family of seventeen (Franklin 4). Franklin's family was so set on customs that his father made him sign his life away as an indentured servant at the
James kept writing scandalous stories and eventually ended up in jail for offending the Governor. During his time in prison, young Franklin took over the paper (Crane 11). James was getting too much heat for his writings, so he decided to break Franklin's indenture as a cover-up. Franklin was named editor, so James could retain his freedom of speech. However a secret indenture was drawn to insure young Franklin would stay. But after their next quarrel Franklin decided to leave anyhow. He knew his brother would not dare reveal "the secret indenture" (14). After seven years of service as an apprentice Franklin finally found a clever way to escape his servitude. Out of rage, James made sure young Franklin would not find work in Boston. So Franklin had no other choice but to leave in search of a new home. Benjamin Franklin did a lot toward improving the Philadelphian community and soon the entire nation. In 1727, Franklin started the Junto Club as a collective effort at self-improvement (Doren 74). The Junto Club was like a modern day "salon" in which intellects could discuss everyday problems. One of the club's most impressive feats was the commencement of the first circulating library in America, an idea that was soon copied throughout the colonies (Meltzer 96). This was vintage Franklin, for he always knew how to take everyday problems and solve them. For example, one of the first challenges he undertook was the paving of the streets. Everyone in Philadelphia knew that the roads were dangerous and a nuisance, but no one ever took action, until Franklin came along. He would first discuss the problem at hand with his friends at the Junto Club, and if they all seemed to agree, Franklin would take it a step further and publish it in his newspaper (Meltzer 98). If he noticed he had the public's solidarity, he would take it yet another step further by printing pamphlets and distributing them door to door (99). This finally put enough pressure on the establishment to do something and soon all the streets began to get paved. Franklin's perseverance and influence had won him a victory. This must have had a tremendous psychological effect on Franklin, for shortly there after, he began to tackle many issues by taking the same steps as noted before. With this persistence Franklin helped to establish a fire department, a police department, and the University of Pennsylvania (103).
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Approximate Word count = 2853
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)
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