Benjamin Franklin is one of the best-known figures in American history. His industrious rise to success, his role in this country's struggle for independence, and his investigations into the mysteries of electricity are among his famous accomplishments. Yet, his fame is due not only to these achievements but also to his remarkable ability to communicate his views and ideas effectively. A self-taught writer, Franklin immortalized himself with his book on electricity, his world-famous Autobiography and his role in drafting the Declaration of Independence. While Benjamin Franklin's contributions to many areas of American and international life, including science, politics, and social reform, are in themselves extraordinary; his writings are the key to his widespread and lasting influence.

A large part of Benjamin Franklin's reputation rests upon his scientific

writings. Eighteenth-century science was not divided into different

specialized fields such as physics, geology, biology, and chemistry.

Instead, there was only one broad area of study known as natural philosophy. Franklin, a brilliant natural philosopher, wrote about a wide range of scientific subjects, from mete

According to Peter Baida, Franklin's Autobiography, which has been translated into almost every language and ready by millions, is as instructive now as ever (105). It also occupies a prominent place in American literary history in a different sense. Robert Sayre, in his book The Examined Self, says, "In that work American biography came of age, and it remains one of the best pictures of American life we have" (vii-viii).

In addition to his political activities, Franklin was greatly concerned

Union" which he presented at the Albany Congress of 1754 was especially

the United States government. As a firm supporter of colonial unity,

Electricity were compiled from letters Franklin sent to a colleague in England (Hornberger 557). Recognized for its description of the scientific method, the book is ranked with Sir Isaac Newton's work as being among the greatest examples of scientific writing (Crane 41). These internationally acclaimed writings helped Franklin to become the first American to gain worldwide fame. He was made a member of the prestigious Royal Society of London, and he was presented with honorary memberships to learned societies across American and Europe (Crane 58).

Franklin's writings were also instrumental in laying the foundations of

Franklin offered sound, well-thought-out suggestions. Franklin's "Plan of

with improving American social conditions. He introduced many institutions that became fundamental to American life. In 1729, he wrote "A Modest Inquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency," which resulted in the printing of paper currency in several northeastern colonies (Fleming 127). Written anonymously, his "Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania" led to the founding of the Academy of Philadelphia that later became the University of Pennsylvania (Fleming 122). Franklin drafted all plans for hospitals, police forces, libraries, fire departments, and insurance companies. As Whitfield J. Bell, Jr., states, Franklin wrote constantly: letters, petitions, regulations, histories, and bylaws. He was also

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