Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews and discusses the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. According to the paper, Benjamin Franklin, by his own account, was an unusually energetic, curious, productive person. The paper goes on to say that Franklin's areas of inquisitiveness were extensive and, rather than just taking a passive interest in his ideas, he went on to manifest them as libraries, post offices, stoves, fire stations and, ultimately, to help draft the document that signifies the free state of America.

From the Paper:

"I agree with Jackson Turner, that Benjamin Franklin gave credibility to America when it was still a very small, disorganized and unfocused young country. I also agree that Franklin's genius was probably not the result of his childhood experiences, or the way he was raised, but was more the result of the inherent gifts he possessed when he entered the world. Turner does not want us to think that all of the incredible insights, inventions, inspirations and experiments were due to Franklin's discipline, studying or rigorous routines, but were only the evidences of Franklin's true genius. The fact that Franklin did not have an easy start, but was able to make the best of his circumstances seems to be at the heart of his personal nature. Many people would resent having so little to start with, and having to face an adult environment at such a young age. Franklin, instead, was able to see the advantages in unfortunate situations, and to use them to his own benefit. He was able to admit that he was a marginal poet and go on to do other things rather than feel injured or insecure. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Franklin, Benjamin Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography , Random House, New York: 1944.
• Twain, Mark "Article Title," publication, publisher, date.
• Turner, Frederick Jackson "Article Title", The Dial, May, 1887

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