Ben Franklin

1. Ben Franklin • The First “American” • Had 4 Careers • Business Man • Scientist and Inventor • Politician • Diplomat • Hard Working in all his Careers Ben Franklin

2. Young Benjamin Franklin 1706-1723 • Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, • Ben’s father Josiah Franklin was a candle and soap maker. • 15th of 17th children • Ben went to 2 years of school. • He worked in his Dad’s candle shop, but didn’t like it. • Went to work at his older brother’s (James) printing shop. • At 12 years old, Ben agreed to be his brother’s apprentice until he was 21 years of age. • In 1721, James started his own newspaper. Ben wanted to write but James wouldn’t let him. • Ben disguised himself as Silence Dogood, a widow with funny opinions

3. New York, 1723 • Ran away from his apprenticeship. • Went to NYC, but couldn’t find work.

4. Philadelphia, 1723-1724 • Arrived Sept. 25, 1723 • Gave in with 2 loaves of bread and a dollar • Walking down the street, he meet his future wife Deborah • He meet another printer named Samuel Keimer. • The governor of Pennsylvania, Sir William Keith, wanted Ben to help him start a printing shopand to go to England • Ben would go to London to get equipment. The governor told him there would be letters waiting on the ship for him so he could get the money from the bank in London • After the ship sailed Ben found out there were no letters. Again he was penniless but this time he was in London.

5. London, 1724-1726 • Knew no one when he arrived penniless • Got a job at Samuel Palmer’s Printing Shop • Gave up Drinking, nicknamed “Water American” • Later got a job with Thomas Denham • Both decided to go back to America and open a print shop • Denham died on the way over to America

6. Philadelphia, 1726-1748 • Franklin did his best to live by the virtues he wrote on his trip to London in 1724. He hoped they would anchor his behavior then and in the future. They did become the cornerstone of who he was and became. • Temperance: Eat not to dullness, drink not to elevation. • Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. • Order: Let all your things have their place; let each part of your business have its time. • Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. • Frugality: Make no expense but do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing. • Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary action. • Sincerity: Use no harmful deceit; think innocently and justly; and if you speak, speak accordingly. • Justice : Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty. • Moderation: Avoid extremes ; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. • Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes or habitation. • Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or by accidents common or unavoidable. • Humility: Last one added

7. Philadelphia, 1726-1748 • The Junto. • Social Club set up by Franklin in 1727 • Drank, Sang, and came up with ideas • Average guys of different backgrounds showed up. • Franklin wrote 12 songs here • Came up with the University of Pennsylvania. • Night Watchmen • Fire Dept. • Public Library • Made Money harder to counterfeit

8. Philadelphia, 1726-1748 • The Ladies • Very popular with the ladies • 6’0” Strong • Married Deborah Reid Rogers • She adopted Ben’s child William and raised as his own • Also had Francis “Frankie” Franklin and Sally • Not a great father • “Keep eyes open before marriage and eyes shut after it.”

9. Philadelphia, 1726-1748 • Newspapers • Pennsylvania Gazette • Started in 1728 • Made him rich • 1730 – Official publisher for the colonies • 1736 – Postmaster General • Franchised out Print shops • “Retired” at 42

10. Philadelphia, 1726-1748 • In 1732, he published Poor Richard’s Almanak (the k was dropped later). • It was a mixture of facts, weather predication, poems and jokes. Franklin created the character Richard Saunders who introduced the almanac. Poor Richard was successful and the advice was thoughtful and humorous. • An example of the writing: • “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten”, said Poor Richard, “either write things worth reading or do things worth the writing”

11. Philadelphia, 1726-1748 • Was competing against LEED’s almanac. • Said Leed’s Died. • Many Great phrases • 3 may keep a secret if 2 of them are dead. • A penny saved is a penny earned • Fish and guest stink after 3 days. • The squeaky wheel gets the oil

12. Dr. Franklin, the Scientist • Wondered why and how • Flippers • Armonica • Color Tests • Franklin Stove • Double Spectacles • The Phonetic Alphabet • Taking Baths • Open Windows • Artificial Arm • 3 Wheel Clock • Desk Chair • Odometer • Insulation in walls • Lighting Rod

13. Dr. Franklin, the Scientist

14. Ben Franklin, the Politician • Too important not to get involved with politics • 1751 - Elected to Pennsylvania Assembly • 1753 - Postmaster General • Albany Plan of union • 1757-1762 Mission to England • Colonial Representative • Hutchinson Letters • Declaration of Independence

15. Ben Franklin, the Diplomat • Commissioner to France • Famous in France • Minister to France • 1781-1783 Peace Negotiations

16. Ben Franklin, the Diplomat • Constitutional Convention • Final Service • Carpenter and Sun chair

17. Ben Franklin, Death and Legacy • Passed away on April 17, 1790; 84 years old • 35 Priests, Ministers, and Rabbis attended his funeral • Cities, Schools, Roads, and 2 Presidents names after him. • Google Hits: • Ben: 62,400,000; Just Timberlake 52,000,000; • Kim Kardashian 25,000,000