FREE ESSAY ON BEN FRANKLIN

BEN FRANKLIN

Benjamin Franklin
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
By Nader J. - Gotha Middle School, Windermere, Florida.
Benjamin Franklin was a scientist, diplomat, and inventor. He was born on January 17,
1706, in Boston. He was the 15th of 17 children in the Franklin, home. His father, Josia
Franklin was married to his second spouse Abiah Folger. He was the tenth son. He entered
grammar school from eight to ten years of age. When he became ten hes helped in his
father's business. When Benjamin was 13, his older brother James came home from England
with a printing press. Benjamin quickly started using the press to do work for his father
and brother. In 1721 James established the New England Current paper. Benjamin would
deliver the paper in the day and write some articles to be placed in the paper, at night.
In 1730 he married Deborah Read. In 1731 he started setting up what was probably the
first public library in America, The Philadelphia Library. In 1742 he officially got the
authorization from the state of Philadelphia to open the library.
In 1747 he started his electrical experiments with a simple gadget he got from an English
man. Later he had a theory that lightning was an electric phenomenon. He also proposed a
way to prove this theory. His plan was published in London, then in France. After
Franklin studied his theory a little more, he carried out his celebrated kite experiment
in 1752. He then invented the lightning rod in late 1752. With this invention many
buildings were protected from lightning. He became an honorable member of the Royal
Society of London. He became a member of the Society because he improved natural
knowledge. He also received the Copley Medal from the Society. He got the Copley Medal
for his distinguished contribution to experimental science.
In 1775 Franklin left Philadelphia and was sent to France to ask for aid, in the
revolution. The thirteen colonies declared independence from (Great Britain in late 1775,
but it seemed as if Great Britain would not let them free without a fight. British troops
had already occupied New York, and Washington's Continental army was losing. British
minister warned France if they signed an alliance with the Americans, they would be
declaring war on England. France needed to be sure that the colonies would win the fight
in New York before signing any alliance. The French hated England, because England
crippled them in the French and Indian War. So they knew if the American forces were
successful and won in New York, they might win the revolution. If that happened Great
Britain would be crippled.
Good news came in 1777, when the Continental army defeated the British in Saratoga.
Franklin told the good news to the French foreign minister. He knew this was the signal
the French were waiting for. France said they would not sign the alliance unless Spain
also signed it. The Spanish were very close allies with France, but they did not want to
join the Americans. Franklin could not wait. He knew a British spy named Paul Wenworth
was in France. His plan was to invite Wenworth to dinner. He hoped the French would fear
that maybe the Americans and the British were working out some sort of truce. Hopefully
that would push France into signing the alliance. After they had dinner Wenworth left.
Franklin received a message from the minister of France, saying they were ready to sign
Finally in 1781 French and American forces surrounded Gen. Cornwallis, and the British
general had to surrender the war was over. Franklin negotiated the Paris Peace Treaty
until 1783. The final signature was signed on September 3, 1783, and the American
colonies were finally free from Great Britain. In 1785 he left Paris and returned to
Philadelphia. Because of Franklin's diplomatic skills, he accomplished his duty, and the
Americans were free.
The best known invention Benjamin Franklin was known for was the Franklin's Stove The
main source of heat in the 1700's was a fireplace. For people to feel the fire they had
to get very close to the fireplace. If they were more than five feet away it was cold.
Plus all the heat didn't enter into the room, most of it went up the chimney. Franklin
said that too much heat or cold made people sick and caused headaches. Benjamin
Franklin's square stove was made of iron and it fit into most existing fireplaces. When
the sides of the iron get hot the heat is reflected into the room, not up the chimney.
The idea was simple but it worked. Over the years Franklin made it perfect. He added
grates, heating panels and sliding doors. The Franklin stove was also called the
Pennsylvania stove. People used the stove for over a hundred years after it was
invented.
Benjamin Franklin was a great man. He was a fighter, and he never gave up hope he
invented things to make the lives of people easier. Not to make profit! He was the one
who gave freedom to America. I think he was an amazing person. He accomplished so many
things in his life, for himself and his land. It's hard to compare him to other great
figures in US history. Because he overpowers all of them. He was respected by many all
over the world. Who says he was not a family man His spouse gave birth to Sally and Peter
Franklin. Sally grew up to have seven children. Peter was supposed to go to law school
and become a lawyer. But he made a mistake and made a woman pregnant, whose child he had
to rise. No one knows who the mother of the child was. In February 12, 1790, he became
president of the Abolitionist Society of Pennsylvania. He urged the abolition of slavery
and slave trade. On April 17, 1790 he fell into a coma and died in his Philadelphia home.
So you see even towards the end of his life he still tried to help people.
Bibliography:
Benjamin Franklin Encarta Encyclopedia, Funk & Wagnalls Corporation; US history section,
1996
Benjamin Franklin Arthur M. Achlesinger, JR., pages, 87-109; Chelsea House Publishers.
New York, Philadelphia; 1990
Benjamin Franklin Eve B. Feldman, pages, 40-43; Published by Franklin Watts, New York,
Toronto, London; 1990
Benjamin Franklin 
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1706. He was the
tenth son of Josiah Franklin. His parents discovered his genius at an early age, and they
resolved to make sure he received an education. He was placed in a grammar school, where
he excelled. However, after a year his parents could no longer afford the expense of his
education. Franklin was brought home to pursue his father's business - that of a candle
maker. He lasted two years and found that cutting wicks for candles, filling moulds, and
running errands did not suit him. He wanted a life at sea, but his parents strongly
objected to this idea. They had already lost one son at sea. They listened to Franklin,
however, and he was permitted to change his business and choose an occupation to which he
felt more suited.
From an early age, Benjamin had a fondness for books and read everything he could get his
hands on. His father's library was scanty, but he perused it with great attention. Works
such as Defoe's Essay upon Projects, Mather's Essay on Doing Good and the Lives of
Plutarch had a great and favorable influence on young Benjamin's mind. His father,
noticing his love of books, proposed that he apprentice with one of his older brothers,
who was at that time a printer of a newspaper in Boston. Franklin agreed and started
working in his brother's print shop when he was barely twelve years old. He quickly
became accomplished in the mechanical aspects of the business. Meanwhile, he seized every
opportunity to read any books he could borrow.
He indulged himself in writing ballads and other poetical pieces, but his father soon
convinced him to express himself in compositions and prose. In writing Franklin excelled.
With a passion for reading and writing, young Franklin soon was anonymously inserting
some of his papers and essays into his brother's newspaper. These were read and highly
commended by the people of Boston. Franklin's brother was now treating Benjamin
indignantly and with so much severity that young Franklin decided to leave him. He
secretly took passage aboard a vessel bound for New York. After spending a few days
there, seeking in vain to procure a job, he proceeded on foot to Philadelphia where he
arrived fatigued and destitute. He was seventeen years old, almost four hundred miles
from home, penniless, without employment, and did not know a single person in the city.
The day after he arrived, Franklin wandered through the streets of Philadelphia looking
like a beggar. His appearance attracted the notice of several citizens of the city,
including a Miss Reed, who would later become his wife. At this time there were but two
printing offices in Philadelphia. Fortunately, in one of these he found employment as
compositor. His conduct was very appropriate, having gained experience with his brother;
and he was attentive to business. His precision not only entrusted him to his employer
but was also noticed by several respectable citizens who promised him their patronage and
support. Among those who took notice of him was Sir William Keith, governor of the
province.
The governor became aware of Franklin's recent adventures, and he professed a deep
interest in his welfare. He proposed that Franklin start his own business and promised to
aid him, refer him to his friends, and award him the government's printing business.
Moreover, the governor urged him to return to Boston, to seek the approval and assistance
of his father. The governor gave Franklin a letter to take to his father, full of
assurances of affection for and promises of support to the son. With this in hand,
Franklin sailed for Boston. After an absence of several months, he again entered his
father's house and was greeted with open arms by his family. He gave his father Governor
Keith's letter and explained the reason for his return. His father advised him, however,
to forget the project and wrote his reply to Governor Keith, citing Franklin's youth and
inexperience. Franklin followed the advice of his father and returned to his employment
in Philadelphia.
Upon learning of the advice and decision of Franklin's father, Governor Keith offered to
furnish the necessary materials himself. He proposed that Franklin make a voyage to
England to procure the items he needed to establish his own printing business. Franklin
readily accepted, and with gratitude to his generous benefactor, he sailed for England in
1725. He was accompanied by his friend Ralph, one of his literary associates in
Philadelphia. Before his departure, Franklin exchanged promises of fidelity with Miss
Reed. They had grown close while he had lodged at her father's house. Upon his arrival in
London, Franklin found that Governor Keith had deceived him. His letters of credit and
recommendations were worthless.
He was now obliged to work as a journeyman printer and obtained employment in an office
in London. His friend Ralph did not easily find a job and was a constant drain upon
Franklin's earnings. In that great city, the morals of the young travelers were not
improved either. Ralph forgot, or acted as if he had forgotten, that he had a wife and
child across the Atlantic; and Franklin was equally forgetful of his promises and
engagement to Miss Reed. Having resided about a year and a half in London, Franklin
concerted a scheme with an acquaintance to make a tour of Europe. At this time, however,
he fell in company with a mercantile friend, who was returning home to Philadelphia, and
who now persuaded Franklin to abandon his tour and to enter his service in the capacity
of a clerk. On July 22, 1726, they set sail for Philadelphia, where they arrived on
October 11th.
Franklin's prospects were bright. He had connected with his new profession, and his
attention to business gained the confidence of his employer so much that he was about to
be commissioned as supercargo to the West Indies. Suddenly, his patron died and not only
were Franklin's prospects blighted, but he was once more unemployed. He had, however, one
resort- to return to the business of printing in the service of his former master. This
he did, and at length he became superintendent of the printing house. 
In 1732, Franklin published the maiden issue of Poor Richard's Almanack - a collection of
wit, wisdom and common sense philosophies that would win wide attention on both sides of
he Atlantic.
Franklin's reputation as a genius was not built upon any single talent but rather on
diversified pursuits. A man of enormous vision, Franklin invented the lightning rod,
bifocal glasses, and the Franklin stove. He helped establish the University of
Pennsylvania, organized the first city fire department, and the first city street
cleaning department. In addition, Dr. Franklin excelled in a variety of civil posts
including Postmaster General of the united colonies.
As a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, Franklin proved to be a man of
reticence, not one to hurry a decision. This proved an annoyance to many of his fellow
delegates who were more bullish in their arm-flailing, outward approach to independence.
In fact, rumors circulated in the city of Philadelphia that Dr. Franklin's sympathies
might lie too heavily with England, that he might have come to this Second Continental
Congress not as a friend but as a spy for the crown. These rumors were dispelled by early
July 1776, however, when it became clearly evident that he was working mightily for the
cause - not perhaps in heated debate on the floor of Congress, but behind the scenes in
corridors and over tavern tables. It was Benjamin Franklin who would receive Thomas
Jefferson's draft of he Declaration for editing.
The signature of Benjamin Franklin appears on all four of the most important American
documents - the Declarationof Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the
Constitution of the United States, and the Treaty of Peace with England. 
A Pennsylvania currency note, printed by Benjamin Franklin and David Hall. This note
bears the famous motto To Counterfeit is Death." 
Donaldson's Crossroads Land Grant dated May 23, 1787 " ... a certain tract of land called
'Donaldson' situate on the waters of Peters Creek in Washington County ... unto John Mc
Daniel and his heirs ..." signed B. Franklin. 
For a High-resolution version of the Stone Engraving 
For a High-resolution version of the Original Declaration of Independence 
We invite you to read a transcription of the complete text of the Declaration as
presented by the National Archives. 
& 
The article The Declaration of Independence: A History, which provides a detailed account
of the Declaration, from its drafting through its preservation today at the National
Archives. 
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Control Number NWL-46-PETITION-1AG3-2 
Media Textual records 
Descr. Level Item 
Record Group 46 
Series PETITION 
File Unit 1AG3 
Item 2 
Title Letter from Benjamin Franklin to Vice President John Adams transmitting a petition
from the Society for the Abolition of Slavery and an address of the people called Quakers
on the subject of the abolition of the slave trade 
Dates 02/1790 
Sample Record(s) Thumbnails of online copies (with links to larger access files) 
Creating Org. Congress. Senate. 
Record Type/Genre Petitions 
See Also File Unit Description 
Subject Ref. Slavery 
Access Unrestricted. 
Use Restrictions None. 
Items 1 item(s) 
Contact Center for Legislative Archives (NWL), National Archives Building, 7th and
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20408 PHONE: 202-501-5350 FAX: 202-219-2176 
As reported in Madison's notes on the Constitutional Convention for September 17, 1787.
-- Benjamin Franklin's Speech
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. President
I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present
approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have
experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller
consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right,
but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to
doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others. Most men indeed
as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in possession of all truth, and that
wherever others differ from them it is so far error. Steele a Protestant in a Dedication
tells the Pope, that the only difference between our Churches in their opinions of the
certainty of their doctrines is, the Church of Rome is infallible and the Church of
England is never in the wrong. But though many private persons think almost as highly of
their own infallibility as of that of their sect, few express it so naturally as a
certain french lady, who in a dispute with her sister, said I don't know how it happens,
Sister but I meet with no body but myself, that's always in the right-Il n'y a que moi
qui a toujours raison.
In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are
such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of
Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe
farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only
end in Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so
corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other. I doubt too
whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution.
For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you
inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of
opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a
perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system
approaching so near to perfection as it does; and I think it will astonish our enemies,
who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of
the Builders of Babel; and that our States are on the point of separation, only to meet
hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another's throats. Thus I consent, Sir, to this
Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the
best. The opinions I have had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good. I have never
whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born, and here they
shall die. If every one of us in returning to our Constituents were to report the
objections he has had to it, and endeavor to gain partisans in support of them, we might
prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose all the salutary effects & great
advantages resulting naturally in our favor among foreign Nations as well as among
ourselves, from our real or apparent unanimity. Much of the strength & efficiency of any
Government in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends, on opinion, on the
general opinion of the goodness of the Government, as well as well as of the wisdom and
integrity of its Governors. I hope therefore that for our own sakes as a part of the
people, and for the sake of posterity, we shall act heartily and unanimously in
recommending this Constitution (if approved by Congress & confirmed by the Conventions)
wherever our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts & endeavors to the means
of having it well administered.
On the whole, Sir, I can not help expressing a wish that every member of the Convention
who may still have objections to it, would with me, on this occasion doubt a little of
his own infallibility, and to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this
instrument.