The Wonder Of Benjamin Franklin
When I was a kid in school studying history, I’d always imagine Benjamin Franklin like this: a chubby man flying a kite in the middle of a nasty storm. 
“What was everyone fussing about?” I thought. I grew up and got wiser and now know better.
Benjamin Franklin was a founding father, inventor, scientist, philosopher, and Statesman. Born January 16, 1706, Franklin left school at the tender age of 10 to help with the family candle-making business. At the age of 12 he entered into an apprenticeship to his older brother’s print shop. Problems with his brother led young Ben to run away to Philadelphia.
With a passion for reading, he taught himself to speak and write in five languages. He also taught himself: Algebra, geometry, grammar and logic. At the age of 22 he opened his own print shop with which he had great success. He later bought a failing newspaper and made it prosperous.
With his new found wealth, Ben married and started a family, 2 boys and a girl. At about age 26 Franklin also published a witty almanac which became so popular it was the most widely read material in the colonies second only to the bible.
Other accomplishments: Helped establish the University of Pennsylvania, started the first volunteer fire fighters, started the first public library in Philadelphia, invented bifocal glasses; the cast iron stove and more.
And I thought all he did was fly a kite…a wonder of a man indeed.
Don’t forget the Postal Service!
Busy man!
Thanks for dropping by Doug…oops I forgot the postal service. I am so baffled by this man, Franklin. I imagine that in order for someone to be like him, you’d have to live as he did. You know, no TV, cell phone, all those little interruptions we have which zap the little creativity we do have. Oh, but how hard it is to give those little interruptions up.
Thanks again!
Absolutley! A most remarkable man! He did EVERYTHING, and did it all with flare!
There is something in what you say about the benefit of having no spirit sapping crap like cell phones and television, but still. . . How many of his contemporaries came close to matching him?
When I used to teach literature I loved going through his writings with the kids. A most original mind, and perhaps the most succinct of all noteworthy authors ever. Truly, only Jesus (the parables) ever said so much with so few words as Franklin.
In my limited experience in history classes, I don’t think that he is emphasized nearly enough. But that is your field.
Totally agree with you Doug. And you are right on the mark about Jesus, He said a lot with little words as well. The thing about this type of writing or speaking is that it gets to the point, with little words. And this type of writing and speaking can teach us volumes. Conversely you have another type which can’t stop talking or writing and says nothing. It is truly a gift and few people have it.
And I agree that Franklin isn’t emphasized in History classes, books, etc. Hopefully the mini-series “John Adams,” will spark some interest in this remarkable man.