Biography of Benjamin Franklin

I recently zipped thru the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and find myself very inspired by his life account. Unfortunately the book does not provide Franklin's full account, yet ends at 1957 before his experience regarding the American Revolution. Franklin died before he was able to give the full account of his life. Nonetheless the book is very well written and takes the reader inside the genius mind of America's most iconic founders. In this post I'm not going to make a book review, yet rather use the content to further elaborate on his complete biography.

Ben Franklin is one of America's most celebrated historical figures, a founding father alongside Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Hamilton. However he was so much more than a revolutionary leader, yet a total polymath in the likes of Leonardo DiVinci. He was a scholar in many subjects ranging from printing, business, politics, science, philosophy, writing, and diplomacy. His biography is arguably one of the most interesting and accomplished figures in American history. He lived from 1706-1790 and was already very well celebrated by the onset of the American Revolution.

Early life in Printing

What's most interesting about the life of Benjamin Franklin is he was entirely a self-made man, born without any special privileges. His quick rise to greatness is the embodiment of the American dream. He was born in Boston in 1706 to a middle class upbringing, and took a quick liking to books and academics. At the age of 12 he worked as a printing apprentice for his brother and also began writing for the local newspaper under the alias "Silence Dogood". His natural talent in the business of printing press and journalism quickly brought him at odds with his elder brother and eventually led to their parting ways.

By the age of 17 he decided to start completely fresh on his own, by relocating to the city of Philadelphia. He quickly found work in a local printing shop and was later commissioned to help establish the local newspaper; The Pennsylvania Gazette. By the age of 21 Franklin had already secured an honorable living and established a society of philosophical businessmen and political leaders known as the Junto. By the late 1720s, thru his business dealings and social circles Franklin found himself among the most prominent figures of Philadelphia and had become a Freemason grand master of the Philadelphia jurisdiction by 1734. During this time he married Deborah Reed and had two children and one out-of-wedlock child, William Franklin.


Business and Political Endeavors in Pennsylvania

Thru his quick rise in the printing business, Franklin became one of the leading figures of the city of Philadelphia during the 1730s. He had established his own publishing business, the Pennsylvania Gazette which brought him further wealth and recognition. Thru this success he engaged in societal improvements to the city, such as it's first library in 1731 (the first library in America). Also he established a fire department in Philadelphia in 1736, and later the University of Pennsylvania in 1740. Aside from his business endeavors he was appointed the public office position of postmaster in 1737.

During this time Franklin also established great regard for his writing and publications. In 1731 he created one of America's first magazine publications, known as Poor Richard's Almanac. Under the pseudonym of "Richard Saunders", Franklin wrote on various topics in this publication ranging from meteorology forecasts, astronomy, astrology, poems, puzzles, cartoons, humor, politics, and philosophical ideals. This publication quickly became popular and was eventually distributed throughout all thirteen colonies, which brought Franklin further widespread recognition.

Scientific experiments

By the 1740s having secured sufficient financial means, Franklin began engaging in more leisure hobbies, including scientific experiments. By the age of 11, as an avid swimmer, Franklin had already established himself as an inventor with his idea of swim-fins. However in his later adult years he embarked on a series of scientific inventions for the betterment of society. Perhaps his most iconic was his kite experiment that established electricity thru lightning. This scientific discovery became one of the earliest precursors to electricity and also gave way to his popular invention of the lightning rod.

Alongside his famous lightning rod, Franklin made various other scientific inventions and improvements. There was his Franklin Stove which helped improved indoor heating, his musical instrument of the glass harmonica, and also his invention of bifocals for short-sided reading. Franklin also made many scientific improvements such as in the use of street lamps, odometers, meteorology, oceanography, and demographics. For his discovery in electricity Franklin received the highest recognition of the Royal Society in 1753 as well as honorary degrees from Harvard and Yale.

Diplomatic Endeavors 

From the early years of his printing business Franklin established foreign business relations in Europe, notably in London. Thru his contributions to the field of electricity he had become well known and celebrated throughout Europe by the 1750s. In 1757, Franklin relocated to the city of London where he served as a representative to the Pennsylvania assembly and also continued his scientific experiments. During this time Franklin began to debate with English officials over the desired liberties of the Colonial states.

At the start of the American Revolution, in 1776 Franklin was sent by the Continental Congress as the very essential diplomatic ambassador to France. The US knew they would need France as an ally in order to defeat Great Britain, and thus Franklin's post was of the most crucial importance to obtaining independence. He was also the ideal candidate for the position due to his various stints and relations he had established throughout Europe. By this point Franklin was already well accomplished as a philosophical leader of the Enlightenment. Therefore the practice of diplomacy came quite naturally and he became very popular during his time in France. He also simultaneously established an alliance with Sweden and thus served as the first ambassador to Sweden.   

By 1778 Franklin had successfully secured the necessary military alliance with France which brought the Continental Army much needed naval support. In 1783 he oversaw the Treaty of Paris which brought an end to the American Revolutionary War with Great Britain. What's especially interesting of Franklin's time in France was the growing social upheaval towards the French monarchy. Benjamin Franklin established diplomatic relations with both the monarchy and the leaders of the French Revolution such as Honore Gariel Riqueti. Franklin's peer, John Adams, was not so warmly received by the radical French ideals, however Thomas Jefferson on the other hand embraced France's democratic revolution. By 1785 with the war over and America recognized as an independent state, Franklin returned to America, and Jefferson replaced him as ambassador during the French Revolution.


American Independence and Pennsylvania Governor

In 1775 Benjamin Franklin was appointed as a delegate for Pennsylvania during the historical sessions of the Second Continental Congress. In a way he arrived as the elder of the committee, already vastly accomplished in philosophical matters. This being a matter of political ideals his opinion was most valued and revered. Although he was sick during a good portion of the discussion, he served as a key member of the Committee of Five who drafted the Declaration of Independence. He shared this responsibility with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Franklin's greatest contribution was that the newly established state not only be separated from England but also from the church.

After the Declaration of Independence, Franklin was appointed as the first Postmaster General in 1775. In this position Franklin quickly established a postal system throughout the colonies, however his appointment was short lived due to his reassignment as ambassador to France. After the war was finished, Franklin served once again as a delegate for Pennsylvania during the signing of the US Constitution in 1787. He thus holds the distinct honor of signing the four key documents of American independence (The Declaration of Independence, The Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and the US Constitution). It is for this significant contribution during the American Revolution that Ben Franklin is considered one of America's most important founding fathers after George Washington.

In his final years during the established republic of the United States of America, Benjamin Franklin served as president of Pennsylvania from 1785-1788. This office served essentially as the governor of the state by which he had contributed so much to. He also however continued to engage in federal matters, including the overseeing of the Philadelphia Convention where the US Constitution was signed. By this point Franklin's health had begun to deteriorate and he took a minimal role in public affairs. He died in 1790 at the age of 84 accomplishing more than any American could ever dream of. 

Franklin's Philosophical Beliefs

What I enjoyed most about reading Benjamin Franklin's autobiography was interpreting his philosophical ideals. From understanding his biography and reading his own written words it seems quite apparent that Franklin embodied the ideals of liberty. That is personal liberty, financial liberty, religious liberty, and ultimately American liberty. This was made quite clear with his early life decision to relocate to Philadelphia where he could make a name for himself. By leaving his birthplace of Boston, he stepped out into the world entirely as a free man full of great ambition. He was fortunate to have acquired a trade (press-printing) early in his life and used it to prosper, however regardless of this apprenticeship, this was a very gifted man who would of succeeded in almost anything.

Franklin is no doubt considered one of the key figures of the Age of Enlightenment, on par with other notable philosophers of the time such as Voltaire, Immanuel Kant, John Locke, and David Hume. This new era of thinking was a product of the Scientific Revolution that gave way to a separation between the church and the state. Many of these thinkers were not atheist per say, yet challenged the teachings of the church with a new scientific approach of reasoning. Benjamin Franklin associated himself as a Deist which means he believed there was a Supreme Being, however it did not belong to one particular man-made religion.

In his autobiography Franklin clearly mentions his religious beliefs as well as his 13 virtues for moral perfection. His religious belief is that there is a supreme being whom should be adored and honored thru good deeds onto others. He established his 13 virtues at the age of 20 and practiced them throughout his life. I've listed them here verbatim yet also provided my summary of each in parenthesis;

1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness, drink not to Elevation (Self-control)
2. Silence: Speak not but what might benefit others or yourself, avoid trifling conversation (Speak with passion when you have passionate things to say)
3. Order: Let all things have their places, let each part of your business have it's time (Organization)
4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought, perform without fail what you resolve (See your tasks through to completion)
5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others and yourself; waste nothing (Financial control) 
6. Industry: Lose no time, be always employed in something useful, cut off unnecessary actions (Efficiency) 
7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit, think innocently and justly, and if you speak, speak accordingly (Act by truth and honor)
8. Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty (Obey the political and moral laws) 
9. Moderation: Avoid extremes, forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve (Stay balanced and neutral)  
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation (Shower, wash, clean)
11. Tranquility: Be not disturbed by trifles or common and unavoidable accidents (Inner Peace)
12. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or injury of your own or another person's reputation (Sexual Purity)
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates (Faith) 

Franklin admits that it is impossible to achieve all 13 virtues at all times since no human is perfect, however they still provide a very righteous course. Aside from his business and political affairs, Franklin was very much a righteous person with good ideals. He was not only an academic enthusiast yet also an admirer of sport and a great swimmer in his youth. He practiced vegetarianism, was against slavery, and was especially for the advancement of the communal society. This was no doubt a very gifted man who contributed so much to humanity in his lifetime.