Verner W. Crane's "Benjamin Franklin and a Rising People"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Verner W. Crane's thesis in his book "Benjamin Franklin and a Rising People" is that, as Franklin rose to affluence with his inquisitive, questioning mind, his extensive research, writing and inventing, at the same time, his fellow citizens, the 'rising people', also began to question the conventions of the British government, which led to the American Revolution. The author points out that Crane examines Franklin's contributions by working chronologically through his life. The paper relates that, throughout the book, Crane uses excerpts from various letters, newspapers and writing pieces of Franklin's to show exactly the kind of man Franklin was. The author concludes that Franklin was definitely a one-of-a-kind person, who was crucial to the beginning stages of this country.

From the Paper:

"Crane explains that Franklin was a very talented writer but James did not allow him to display his abilities enough for Benjamin's liking. To counter his brother's stubbornness, Benjamin began writing letters that were published in the paper under the name Silence Dogood. This habit of using a ghost-name stuck with Franklin as he used it several other times throughout his life. Nonetheless, James eventually found out about Benjamin's ghostwriting ways and expressed his displeasure."

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