Abstract This paper explores the ideas, principles and values embodied in BenjaminFranklin's life and works. Franklin's writings, such as
the "Autobiography of BenjaminFranklin" and "Poor Richard's Almanac" contain time-tested success formulas that helped Franklin shape his success and also inspired an entire genre of books. The author explores how many of the ideas presented in Franklin's writings influenced today's self-help books. The paper cites Steve Covey and Blaine McCormick as two self-help writers influenced by Franklin.
From the Paper "Benjamin Franklin is rightly called the first success guru of America. His ideas, principles and values embodied in his life and works are evident of the fact that this man possessed a great entrepreneurial spirit and never-say-die attitude which turned him and millions of others who followed his advice into millionaires. However do not equate success with money alone. Franklin was not only a wealthy person; he was also a completely successful statesman, a shrewd politician and a disciplined person as well. The self-help books that teach us about time management and success today have largely been inspired by Franklin's ideals. As Anker (1999) observes: "
Abstract This historical study analyzes BenjaminFranklin's religious rejection of Puritanism within the context of his belief systems. It closely inspects his autobiography and discusses how Franklin mentions important transitions from his Puritanical background and embraced the Enlightenment Era philosophy of science and republican government.
From the Paper "This historical study will analyze Benjamin Franklin's religious rejection of Puritanism within the context of his belief systems. Through a close inspection of his Autobiography, Franklin mentions important transitions from his Puritanical background, and embraced the Enlightenment Era philosophy of science and republican government. By realizing the experiential philosophical innovations of this Founding Father, the rejection of Puritan thought was a direct result of greater religious liberties and of the separation of church and state in government. In the late 18th century there was a political basis for Benjamin Franklin rejecting the Puritan ideals that had dominated New England for many years. "
Abstract BenjaminFranklin is considered by many to be one of the greatest Americans to ever live and is also held as an important pillar of America's national heritage. Some may also argue that he exemplifies the American dream and all that is truly American. The paper shows that as the son of a candle maker and with only a minimal amount of formal education, BenjaminFranklin was influenced by his modest background and used his dedication and determination to master many disciplines in his quest for success. The paper examines how throughout his life, BenjaminFranklin took on the roles of statesman, philanthropist, inventor, revolutionary, publisher and philosopher. In regards to his personal and political ideologies and achievements, BenjaminFranklin epitomized the Ideal American.
From the Paper "Although Benjamin Franklin was a man of many interests and talents, he is most certainly best known for being an exceptional statesman. In the English and French wars, he sided with the British and tried to encourage peace with the Native Americans and the French. Franklin also fought for Native American rights. He returned to London for a while and used his networking there to stress the importance of America as a colony. However, he became disillusioned with the British and their self-importance, and decided to refer to himself as an American rather than an English American. This was the starting point for Franklin's fight for independence."
Tags: Pennsylvania, Gazette, Way, to, Wealth, Declaration, of, Independence
Abstract This paper explains that BenjaminFranklin's autobiography "The Autobiography of BenjaminFranklin" relates his entrepreneurial spirit that turned him into a shrewd businessman, a great inventor and innovator, a community leader and later a very well-known and well-respected politician. The author points out that this book indicates that the business environment was changing and industrialization was gaining hold because, as Franklin reported, while the older generation was skeptical and cautious, the younger generation was full of optimism, courage and believed in possibilities. The paper suggests that an important lesson from Franklin's book is that a person may gain success and still be rude and arrogant, but a man who is remembered for ages is someone who remained humble when he was going up.
From the Paper "The key to success may not be one and the same for everyone but it appears that hard work and believing in one's decision play critical role in shaping the lives and careers of successful people. Benjamin Franklin knew he loved printing and that this was the business to be in. He also had the inclination to start this business in Philadelphia so while some people tried to discourage him, he stuck with his beliefs and worked tirelessly to make himself a success in this business. As we later see that not only he became an immensely successful printer and publisher, he also turned into a competent politician. This wouldn't have been possible if he never believed in himself or if he listened to the negative opinion of other people. "
This paper reviews Verner W. Crane's "BenjaminFranklin and a Rising People", which outlines BenjaminFranklin's contributions to the formation of the United States.
975 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 0 sources, 2007, $ 34.95
Abstract This paper explains that Verner W. Crane's thesis in his book "BenjaminFranklin 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."
Abstract In this report the author centers on the positive aspects of BenjaminFranklin's autobiography. He describes how Franklin overcame early challenges, such as poor math and grammar and how he presented the idea that a combination of constitution and through the sheer force of will, any disability or disadvantage can be overcome. The author describes that for BenjaminFranklin there was but one definition of success, that, of course, was his definition. He highlights that perhaps more important than this single-mindedness is the idea that with enough work, enough study and enough sacrifice anybody can reach his ideal of what it is to be a successful American. The author concludes that BenjaminFranklin was the epitome of the neoclassical age of reason and his thoughts were both liberating and prohibitory.
From the Paper "First, a man whose works he read and respected was a vegetarian. Obviously, if so am great a person is a vegetarian, than there must be something about being a vegetarian that was good, and Franklin decided he wanted to be great like Toyon. A simple case of "monkey see_monkey do." The second reason he did it appears to be to save money. This was a good way for the curious, young Franklin to get more money to buy books. Thirdly, it seems like an attempt to improve his constitutions. He clearly implies in the last sentence that sacrificing meat, or anything else, makes for a better person. He believed that giving up meat made him smarter. An added bonus was that the time not spent eating with his family, or going out, gave him more time to study his math and his grammar."
Tags: logi, rights, human, nature, society, virtuous, united, states
Abstract The paper provides a brief biography of BenjaminFranklin's background and then details Franklin's genius in the field of science and his many inventions. The paper devotes considerable time to discussing Franklin's achievements as a peerless American visionary, an economist, a political thinker, a civic scientist, an elderly statesman, revolutionary spymaster, a writer, a man of letters and an ambassador to France. The paper looks at his influence over and motives behind documents such as the Declaration of Independence. Finally, the paper considers Franklin's specific characteristics, such as an aversion to tyranny, humor, humility and tolerance.
Outline:
Short Biography
Controlling Communications in His Time
Rising to Positions of Influence and Prestige and Personal Gains He Made in Each
His Influence Over and Motives Behind these Major Documents
The "Real" BenjaminFranklin
From the Paper "Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts to Josiah and Abiah Folger (Kelly 2007, the Electric Benjamin Franklin 2007). He had only two years of formal schooling but this handicap did not stop him from making the best out of himself. He first helped his older brother James in the latter's printing press until he decided to seek his own destiny in Philadelphia. Through diligence and wisdom, he evolved into a statesman, inventor, scientist, publisher and a politician. His accomplishments as such were unique in his time when colonial North America did not yet have sufficient cultural and commercial institutions for his original ideas."
Abstract The paper discusses how BenjaminFranklin's autobiography is not simply a chronicle of this Founding Father's early life. It is also a historical portrait of colonial America and the cultural and political conflicts of the pre-Revolutionary era. The paper explains how Franklin attempts to show how a moral, hard-working life can yield social and financial profits. BenjaminFranklin rose from the status of a poor printer's apprentice to a financially secure publisher, inventor and entrepreneur. The paper highlights how Franklin believed his life showed that a man must take responsibility for his own moral and political upbringing and economic fortune.
From the Paper "While Franklin's tremendous social mobility demonstrates how his society was in a state of great economic and social flux, Franklin credits his own moral fortitude with his success. Franklin believed that man could truly pull himself up by his own bootstraps, no matter where he began in life. Franklin stresses the values of thrift, honesty, and diligence in business and credits how he showed early signs of innate intelligence with his ability to foster such skills within, rather than his upbringing alone. Even as a child, "the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books." (14) True, as his book is supposedly directed to his son, Franklin gives his own father some credit for reinforcing these vales early on in the boy's life."
Abstract This paper examines how Edmund S. Morgan fulfills his purpose of presenting a positive picture of BenjaminFranklin with this autobiography and how, in about 330 pages, the author offers a wealth of material related to Franklin's life, exposing his inner longings and his personal ambitions in a way that many historians cannot, due to their unwillingness to take a personal stance on any historical figure. It analyzes how Morgan obviously admires BenjaminFranklin and hopes to enrich the public's understanding of his life and his accomplishments and how, in doing so, Morgan offers the layperson a scholarly, well-researched, and reputable biography that is, nevertheless, approachable and easy to read.
From the Paper "In fact, Morgan acknowledges the legendary status that Franklin has achieved. The author continually refers to his folk hero status and the urban legends that surround Benjamin Franklin. Regarding the kite-flying incidence, Morgan asserts that unlike George Washington cutting down the cherry tree, Benjamin Franklin really did fly the kite, (11). Morgan devotes a vast amount of his book to Franklin's scientific as well as his political and social achievements. Especially in the early chapters of the book, Morgan accounts Franklin's lifelong fascination with the natural world and the world of physics and electricity, for which he became famous. Franklin was a natural scientist, one who was fascinated with the natural world and who was also dedicated to documenting and understanding its workings."
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses the autobiography of BenjaminFranklin. According to the paper, BenjaminFranklin, 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. "
Tags: opportunities, America, President, communication, reading, writing, books, church
Abstract This paper discusses how BenjaminFranklin's many different writings came to influence the nature of American society, not only in colonial times, but today as well. According to this author, Franklin used his writing skills to argue for social change, to express his opinions and to make education available to all members of society. Some of his most important contributions provided the frameworks for many of the today's government agencies. These include the first police and fire departments, the printing of money, road improvements and the building of hospitals that would provide medical care for everyone, not just the elite. Franklin also wrote "Poor Richard's Almanac" which contains many maxims that continue to inspire people today. Franklin was also responsible for the introduction of the public education system into America and his writings at the time, served as the blueprint for a curriculum that continues to be used today. According to this author Franklin's many writings about the importance of equality among all members of society continue to be relevant even in today's modern world.
From the Paper "Poor Richard's Almanac then had three effects on society. Firstly, Franklin's maxims were accepted as guidance, inspiring people to live better lives. Secondly, Franklin closed the gap between the educated and the uneducated. The uneducated reading the almanac were given a thirst for knowledge, a thirst they could pursue. This empowered individuals to take it upon themselves to determine their own lives. No doubt, Franklin inspired many to live good and just lives, and inspired some to make their own contributions to society. Finally, Franklin's maxims survived from the time they were first printed to the present day. How many people these maxims have impacted on during the course of these years is impossible to estimate, but no doubt many have, and continue to have, their lives changed by accepting the wise words of Franklin."
Abstract Through his words and actions presented in "The Autobiography of BenjaminFranklin", Franklin exemplified the ideal man he strove to be in his journey towards success and prosperity. The paper shows that by devoting himself continuously to improving himself, Franklin embarked on a project to arrive at "moral Perfection". Although he eventually gave up his objective to be perfect, he made tremendous progress in mending his faults and changing himself for the better. In this paper the virtues Franklin enumerated in his project are explored, because they constituted key elements of Franklin's character, which enabled him to succeed in his life.
From the Paper "In his work, he considered "Industry as a Means of obtaining Wealth and Distinction" (Franklin 88). Indeed, Franklin exhibited this quality throughout his struggle to establish himself as a printer and afterwards in all his endeavors. When he first acquired his business, he devoted his entire existence to working hard without any distractions: "I was seen at no Places of idle Diversion; I never went out a-fishing or shooting" (Franklin 73). During this period, he also demonstrated his sincerity in his dealings with other businessmen by "paying duly for what [he] bought" (Franklin 73). Even in his young age, Franklin had already understood that "Truth, Sincerity & Integrity in Dealings between Man & Man, were of the utmost Importance to the Felicity of Life" (63). Through his exemplary conduct towards other business people, he attracted business from them so that his business throve (Franklin 73). In his endeavor to achieve success as a printer, he demonstrated tremendous resolve and commitment, never deviating from his path, unlike the other printers he described in the book, such as Keimer, who fell by the wayside."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth examination of the BenjaminFranklin's achievements in life and how D.H. Lawrence's view of the world affected his evaluation of these achievements. The author looks at Franklin's many achievements including the development of electricity and its many off-shoots, the development of a postal system, the creation of bi-focal glasses and the invention of the fireplace and stoves. Franklin's strong sense of family and family values, his knowledge of weather and weather patterns, his negotiating skills and subsequent successes in international relations are also discussed in detail. The author then demonstrates how D. H. Lawrence criticizes each and every achievement of Franklin's without hesitation and in many of these instances, without any logical reasoning.
From the Paper "All of the things we are discussing would have a much different meaning if it were not for Ben's skills as a negotiator. Without help from the French the result of our war to get the British out of America could easily have failed. Our navy fought remarkably well as did our army, but they had smaller numbers and did not have the experience and training of the British troops. The additional resources supplied by France were essential. The negotiations to acquire this kind of support were very difficult. Only a person of Ben's intellect and charm could have made it happen. Franklin had not only the French to deal with, but also the other two Americans that were part of the commission. "Coming straight from London, Arthur Lee [one of other two on the commission] arrived in Paris shortly after Franklin and proceeded immediately to find fault with everything his colleagues were doing"and not doing. A highly intelligent man, trained in law and medicine, but afflicted with a fair degree of paranoia, Lee was a Franklin-hater of long standing (Lopez and Herbert 234).? Lawrence can only complain about Ben's ability to create a situation where America was able to create its own country rather than staying under British rule. He cannot tolerate independence and creative thought in a country that broke away from his native England."
Abstract Edmund S. Morgan's book, "BenjaminFranklin", is a concise look at the life of the great American statesman. This paper explains how the book delves into all aspects of Franklin's life and creates a compelling look at the man. Morgan's effective use of primary sources creates a great deal of credibility, although his admiration of Franklin leaves the cynical reader with the feeling that Morgan may not provide a complete criticism of Franklin's life.
From the Paper "Morgan's book is a biography of one of the most remarkable early Americans. Franklin was instrumental in the founding of the Republic, but Morgan's description of the man goes far beyond these familiar terms. Morgan describes Franklin's contributions in a wide number of fields, including literature, painting, diplomacy, and the postal service. He does not shy away from Franklin's personal life, and describes his great personal appeal, and his life as a ladies' man. The contradictions within Franklin's life are addressed, including Franklin's wish to preserve the British Empire and his fundamental role in creating the American republic."
Abstract The paper is divided according to topics, including capitalism, the American work ethic, and the great American dream. Each section draws from Franklin's "Autobiography" and "Poor Richard's Almanac" to show how BenjaminFranklin shaped the ideas of modern America. It explains that Franklin's quirky sayings in "Poor Richard's Almanac", although over two hundred years old, are influential statements that are easily recalled by many present-day Americans.
From the Paper "Benjamin Franklin is fondly remembered today as a man of letters, a great inventor, and one of America's forefathers. Though his obvious and tangible accomplishments are quite impressive, they are shadowed by the ongoing influence Franklin has on modern-day America. This influence of individualistic thought can be viewed upon reading Franklin's writing, most importantly The Autobiography and Poor Richard's Almanack. In his works, it is clear that Benjamin Franklin imbibes America's capitalist society, our work ethic, and the great American dream. "For better or worse, rightly or wrongly, Benjamin Franklin has been identified with the American national character" (Sanford v)."
Tags: almanac, capitalism, dream, ethic, individualism, poor, richard, work
