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1. The Maxims and Memoirs of Benjamin FranklinWith excerpts from:The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin “One Man of tolerable Abilities may work great Changes , and accomplish great Affairs among Mankind, if he first forms a good Plan” Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography,

2. MAIN PAGE Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) is considered by many to be the first American hero. Ben had his hand in each of the four major documents that established the United States as a free and independent country. He was a skilled printer, an innovative inventor, and a practical religionist, among so many other things. His life story, penned in his own hand, is a fascinating adventure of many episodes. “The most acceptable Service of God is the doing of Good to Man”

3. Benjamin Franklin the Scientist “Common Sense aided by present Danger, will sometimes be too strong for whimsicall Opinions” Ben had an interest in science and technology since his early youth. He is credited with pioneering the science of electricity and with coining the terms: armature, battery, charge, condenser, conductor, discharge, and more.

4. Ben the Inventor Among his many discoveries, Benjamin Franklin invented: The Lightning Rod, which prevented many houses from being burned to the ground. The Franklin Stove, which heated a home much more efficiently than a fireplace. The Catheter- still used today. Bifocal Glasses. He did none of this out of greed; not one of his inventions was ever patented. “As we enjoy great Advantages from the Inventions of others, we should be glad of an Opportunity to serve others by any Invention of ours, and this we should do freely and generously” (409). “Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead”(388). “Fish and visitors begin to small after three days”.

5. “…after getting the first hundred pound, it is more easy to get the second” Ben the Entrepreneur Franklin moved from Boston to Philadelphia at 17, worked as an apprentice in the printing trade. His perseverance and well-thought planning propelled him to success and wealth. He retired at 42, rich and famous. One of his best known and best loved works was his “Poor Richard’s Almanac”, which he wrote under the pen-name “Richard Saunders”. “…for the Industry of that Franklin, says he, is superior to any thing I ever saw of the kind: I see him still at work when I go home from Club; and he is at Work again before his Neighbors are out of bed”

6. Many consider Benjamin Franklin to be the original example of the optimism of the United States. His ‘pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps’ mentality established an American philosophy of a strong work ethic, good neighborliness, and loyal citizenry. … Statesman “God helps them that help themselves” “Honesty is the best policy”.

7. Benjamin Franklin: Patriot Ben began his life of patriotism as a pamphleteer expressing the opinions of American citizens about the “taxation without representation” of King George. He was the only American to sign the four documents that created the republic: the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Peace with England, and the Constitution. “The best public Measures are therefore seldom adopted from previous Wisdom, but forc’d by the Occasion”(419).

8. International Relations: It was Benjamin Franklin who persuaded the French to come to the aid of the Continentals and turned the tide in the War for Independence. Europeans considered him greater than Voltaire, wiser than Rousseau. Whenever invited to the royal courts of England or France, Ben would dress as a common American frontiersman. “Look round the habitable World, how few Know their own Good, or knowing it pursue”