... Date: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin An autobiography is the life history of a person that is written in a book and the history is written by the same person. Autobiography mainly centers its focus on the times and life of the person writing it. The autobiography nature is very subjective and therefore the writer should be able to recall memories promptly so that incorrect and false information should be avoided. Some autobiographies are fictional whereby people write the autobiography as if it were them as seen in some novels. Benjamin Franklin was born January 17,1706 in Boston. He attended school for only 2 years despite his passion for reading. When he was 12 years old, he joined his brother James to become an apprentice at the print shop. He wrote his first newspaper in Boston when he was 15 years. He wrote several letters and finally announced that he was the writer when the letters became a hit. He ran away to Philadelphia at 17 when his brother was furious about his writing (The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin 1). He was amongst the naissance fathers of the United States. He was an inventor, a representative, a scientist, a principal writer and above all, he was a theorist. He loved doing experiments and this was well shown in the experiments he did regarding power and lightning after experimenting on kites in an event of a lightning storm. He also published “Poor Richard’s Almanac’’ and the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1733 (Franklin 45). ...
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...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ESSAY SUBSITTED TO MS. LENNON HISTORY N221 D49 SYLVIA MORAN ORRUM, NC 11/14/2011 Benjamin Franklin was born on January 6, 1706 to Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger. His father was a tallow chandler who relocated his family to the New England Colonies about 1682 in search of religious freedom. Benjamin Franklin started working for his father at a very early age which he hated. At age twelve he was bound as an apprentice to his brother, James, who owned a print shop where they quarreled often. His brother published the New England Courant and treated him as though he was a slave and often times beat him. During this period in his life a desire to improve himself and be free of the restraining ties which bound him was born within him. Through the help of a friend he was able to secure passage on a ship bound for New York. Thus began his journey of seeking to improve his circumstances in life and himself. Benjamin Franklin never received much of a formal education. He started school at the age of eight and ended at ten years old. His father intended to send him to college for an education and then dedicate him to the service of the church, but because of the financial difficulties of raising such a large family this proved impossible. Benjamin Franklin had developed a love of reading at an early age and therefore he began to educate himself through books. After arriving at his destination...
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...An Analysis of the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin This analysis will strive to show that, this work by Benjamin Franklin was a unified work even with the disjointed parts of it. The span of time in which it was written was interrupted . Which meant that important aspects of his life was missing. Many feel that this detracts from the effectiveness of the book, just as many feel it adds to the overall theme. This is a work of memories put to paper, for this is Franklin’s life. This analysis aims to show clearly, that this work is effective and relevant today as it was when it was written. Benjamin Franklin wrote his own epitaph when he was but twenty-two years old, he often wondered what his legacy would be. He wrote that after his death his body would be like, “Like The Cover of an Old Book / Its Contents torn Out” the “Contents will Appear once More / In a New and More Elegant Edition, Revised and Corrected By The Author”. (Benjamin and Deborah Franklin; 1790) Franklin was taking measure of his life, by comparing his life to books and his body to the binding, To think that he is talking about his Autobiography and not Heaven would be a logical assumption. He claims to be recollecting his life because he can not relive it. He fully intended to leave the world a work that was unified. Life itself had a say in this work in progress, and this proved to be the disjointing factor to the unity...
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...Rather than leave his life story to biographers and historians, Benjamin Franklin, ever the artisan, took the raw material of his recollections and from them carefully shaped the myth that has come to represent his life. (Isaacson 2) His use of thirteen virtues (Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity and Humility) by which one could improve one’s life became an integral part of his image. In his Autobiography, he claims to desire to “acquire the habitude (emphasis original) of all these virtues…” (Franklin 65) Yet it is only a few pages later when he admits having failed, adding “on the whole, tho’ I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the endeavour, a better and happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it…” (Franklin 70) Ironically, Franklin has established a program that even by his own standards is impossible to complete, while still critical to the development and long-term success of the participant. This program of unreachable self improvement goals became foundational to the Franklin Myth....
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...Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790, printer, scientist, statesman, wrote an Autobiography that poses a riddle never completely solved: How could such an incomplete, disjointed, inaccurate, mangled manuscript be so perennially popular? Translated into dozens of languages and reprinted in hundreds of editions, it continues to be one of the most successful books of all time, even though Franklin himself is sometimes viewed with suspicion by the haters of industry and frugality. An answer to the riddle of the Autobiography is partially hinted at by the ways in which it has been described, for if it has not been all things to all men, it has at least been remarkable to most men who have read it. Its most admired qualities have changed as fashions, philosophies, and needs have changed. But, significantly, the book continues to survive such changes From the first line, Franklin's Autobiography illustrates the complex character of the man who wrote it, not only through the facts it states but also through the attitudes it reveals. The productive tension in Franklin's nature between the lighthearted and the earnest is evident by the end of the first paragraph. While Franklin starts his account as a paternal (and presumably chatty) letter to his son, he soon begins the formal statement about his worthy purposes — the rationalizations for the work to follow — which one expects of highly serious eighteenth-century treatises. But after presenting three respectable reasons for writing, Franklin...
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...Name: Poppy Vorse Date: 10/20/14 Period: 2nd Book Title: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Genre: Autobiography Original Publication Date: January 1, 1790 Your Edition’s Publication Date: 1992 Author: Benjamin Franklin Number of Pages: 294 Summary: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin begins with his purpose of writing the book, stating that the next best thing to reliving one’s life is the recollection of it in writing. Addressed to his son William, Benjamin Franklin discusses his early life in Boston, including being the 15th of 17 children. He apprenticed as a printer for his older brother, James. Franklin didn’t get along with his brother so at age 16 he went to Philadelphia where he started working for Samuel Keimer....
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...Benjamin Franklin was extraordinarily famous for many accomplishments. He was an author, politician, printer, and one of America’s Founding Fathers. Franklin also discovered electricity, and invented bifocals, the lightning rod, Franklin stove, glass harmonica, odometer, and jokingly, daylight savings time. Franklin, living in Paris at the time, joked that the French slept in too late, that they wasted all the daylight. In Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, Franklin displays a subtle sense of humor throughout different forms of set pieces in the book, including his father’s religious devotion, using an alias, and his probable pride in humility. In Part One of the Autobiography, Franklin jokes that while all nine of his older brothers became protégés of craft occupations, his father intended “to devote me as the Tithe of his Sons to the Service of the Church” (14). Franklin pokes fun at his father by implying that instead of donating a tenth of his income to the church, he is donating a tenth of his sons. He presents himself as a young man on the road to fame by showing he is different that the rest of his family and the only one of his brothers earning an education. At such a young age, he felt his education gave him superiority with his family, but his older brothers thought differently. Franklin started working as a trainee for his brother’s printing shop, which he thought he should be running. Franklin also uses a confident humor as he makes himself the laughingstock of...
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...Benjamin Franklin begins his Autobiography by stating the reasons for writing it. He wished to share his life story with his son and tell him anecdotes about his ancestors. Since Franklin had grown up in a poor family, he wished to share his rags to riches story with others as they may be inspired to do better. Franklin knew he could not relive his life and in fact would not have changed much of it had he been given the opportunity to live it over, but he wished to relive those memories from his early life through his manuscript. Another reason was that, through writing, he would not bore people as he would have by telling his stories in person. And finally, he wrote it for himself to satisfy his own ego and sense of self-worth. The story of how the Benjamin Franklin Autobiography became published is a story in itself. It was intended as a private collection and not supposed to be made public. However, based on the number of copies made before he died, it is hard to believe that he did not intend for it to be seen by all. As the story is read, different views can be ascertained. This would depend on various reasons but my thoughts are that it is also self-promoting in some ways. As Franklin offers stories of his early life, he is offering evidence that anyone can make it if they strive to improve upon what they have accomplished thus far. The story of his ancestry and early years is an intriguing glimpse into the inner workings of the family during this period. The Autobiography...
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...lives to be an example to others. Benjamin Franklin, a key figure of the American History, is one of the types who portrayed his live in way for others to follow. He is one who believed in success. However his life was not perfect. He knows that as well. Therefore, he works hard to improve himself in so many different ways. Although Benjamin Franklin life was not perfect, his autobiography is a compass that can direct many to the path of success. The youngest of a large family of thirteen, Benjamin Franklin had a hard time living his life to attend the success that he wanted. Everything in life matters to him. However, his biggest problem was when he could not get the education he wanted. He was a friend of books; he liked reading anecdotes from which he learned important principles that his ancestors left. According to the reading, his love for study pushed him to sell business. Many people today would not take such decision. However, Franklin knew what he was doing. He prioritized education over money because he believed that there are better riches in knowledge than in money. The results of his action were amazing. Those results cannot be bought with money. He made different discoveries that gained him reputation throughout Europe. Franklin did not keep all the successful principles for himself. Therefore, he made them word in other to pass them on from generation to generation. Many believe that Franklin did not know that his autobiography would be that popular all over...
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...Ryan McCarthy History 1100 Wiard Benjamin Franklin Every kid, at some point in their life, reads about Benjamin Franklin in school. He is one of the most popular historical figures ever, but why is Franklin so popular? Ben was one of seventeen children, he was not very religious, and at the age if seventeen he ran away from his home and family. At first glance these do not seem like the characteristics of a successful human being, but it was these very things that helped shaped Ben’s life, and allowed him to become the most distinguished man of the 18th century. Franklin, being a part of such a large family, had no choice but to fend for himself. In order for Franklin to flourish he had to self-educate, self-motivate, and self-improve himself, which he became obsessed with. Franklin had to look out for number one, and when he left he never looked back. Throughout his travels Franklin sought opportunity, and he seized each one he came across, whether it be “flirting” or socializing, making important friendships and connections, or spreading his image throughout the globe Franklin was determined to succeed. The formula for Franklin’s success doesn’t seem to be an extremely difficult one, but it was how he executed it that separated him from the rest. Ben was a very strict, regimented, self-critical man. Every move Franklin made was pre-analyzed, and had a specific purpose to better his life. In a nutshell Franklins formula was “self-hood” and networking, or creating and...
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...Joseph Chase 04/9/2012 Benjamin franklin Autobiography Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States. Franklin was born January 17, 1706 and died April 17, 1790. Franklin was a leading writer, publisher, inventor, diplomat, scientist, and philosopher. Franklin is well-known for his experiments with electricity and lightning. Franklin was one of fifteen children in his family. Because he was from such a large family he was sent out to work at a very early age. He only had a few years of grammar school education when he started working in his father’s business. During his days off he educated himself through books. He worked as an apprentice in his brother’s print shop for several years until tension ended their relationship. He moved to Philadelphia to continue in the printing business. The book portrays a picture of life in Philadelphia, as well as literature, philosophy, and religion of America colonial and revolutionary periods. Franklin discussed his life-story as an example to illustrate the most important American qualities and values, like determination, self-sufficiency, perseverance, hard work, frugality, and reliance on a sound code of ethics are the ingredients of success. Benjamin was always teaching and leading by example. One way Franklin started his self-improvement was when he worked at his brother shop he begin to read and imitate the style of professional authors. This was a personal...
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...LIBRARY Study Guide for The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin i Meet Benjamin Franklin Benjamin thought that his older brother James was too hard on him, and they often fought. When his apprenticeship ended, Franklin went to Philadelphia. This city, far more than his birthplace of Boston, became Franklin’s home. In Philadelphia he established his own business and raised his family. After Franklin retired from business in 1748, he embarked on a new career as a civil servant. He served in the Pennsylvania Assembly and became deputy postmaster-general. Sent to England as a representative of the Assembly, he spent five years there. During that time, he made the acquaintance of statesmen and scientists alike. Years later, he returned to England and found himself caught up in the growing tension between the thirteen colonies and the British government. Franklin’s loyalties were divided. He felt affinities to the colonies and to King George II of England. When he could tolerate the British government’s policies toward the American colonies no longer, he sailed back to the colonies. By the time his ship arrived, the first battles of the American Revolution had already been fought. Franklin was chosen to serve on the Second Continental Congress, which, acting as the government for the colonies, declared independence from Britain and appointed George Washington as commander in chief of the American army. Franklin was one of five men selected to draft...
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...i Study Guide for The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin T H E G L E N C O E L I T E R A T U R E L I B R A R Y The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Study Guide 9 Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Benjamin thought that his older brother James was too hard on him, and they often fought. When his apprenticeship ended, Franklin went to Philadelphia. This city, far more than his birthplace of Boston, became Franklin’s home. In Philadelphia he established his own business and raised his family. After Franklin retired from business in 1748, he embarked on a new career as a civil servant. He served in the Pennsylvania Assembly and became deputy postmaster-general. Sent to England as a representative of the Assembly, he spent five years there. During that time, he made the acquaintance of statesmen and scientists alike. Years later, he returned to England and found himself caught up in the growing tension between the thirteen colonies and the British government. Franklin’s loyalties were divided. He felt affinities to the colonies and to King George II of England. When he could tolerate the British government’s policies toward the American colonies no longer, he sailed back to the colonies. By the time his ship arrived, the first battles of the American Revolution had already been fought. Franklin was chosen to serve on the Second Continental Congress, which, acting as the government for the colonies, declared independence...
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...Introduction “The Autobiography” written over a period of 19 years (1771-1790) by Benjamin Franklin (1705-1790) and published by John Bigelow in 1868 is the main topic of this term paper. Before he was able to finish his longest and most important work, Franklin became ill and died at the age of 85 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Because of that, “The Autobiography” contains only four parts and I decided to focus on the second part, especially the 13 “moral Virtues” (Franklin 284), since he lived by them for a long time. This work does not just tell us the story of his life, but also teaches every single one of us how to become a better person and achieve great things in life. Franklin himself was born into the lower middle-class and chose to become more than just a printer contrary to the will of his brother James. As we all know, he became one of the most important persons in American history, which I will amplify in the following. Regrettably, he is mostly remembered as the guy on the 100$ bill. The main reason for choosing this work as the topic of my term paper is that Benjamin Franklin started at zero, he had nothing. He did not even finish an apprenticeship and became so successful in life and was valued by nearly everyone. By writing his autobiography he did not just try to teach his readers that they can achieve as much as he did by guiding them but to share his story with the world. As this paper goes along, I will present Benjamin Franklin´s “The Autobiography” and his...
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...BENJAMIN FRANKLIN I. INTRODUCTION Benjamin Franklin was an exceptionally intelligent and gifted individual. He went from being a poor uneducated child into a wealthy intelligent man through his self improvement and determination. He was a scientist, diplomat, printer, writer and political philosopher. In the first part of his autobiography, he wrote to his son telling him about his family and wrote his life Story. He explained his experiences, struggles and accomplishments. Through out his life he worked on self improvement, he shared his own experience in hopes that his son and others would learn from it. He started his self improvement when he was a young teenager, by improving his writing skills. He was also inspired to work on his own character. He wrote the thirteen virtues to help improve his own character. Franklin established a group of people who wanted to improve there own character and help others. They were called Junto. II. BODY At an early age, Franklin worked as an apprenticeship in printing for his older brother James. He began on improving his writing skills. He would read articles and then try to rewrite and compare them. He would take an article or part of a book and put them into poetry. At age sixteen he published his first article in his brother’s newspaper anonymously. He did this because he knew his brother would not publish it if knew it was him. He then heard James friends praising the articles, which then Franklin told...
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