Changes

==Early Life==

==Early Life==

Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] into a Puritan family.  His father was Josiah Franklin, a soap and candle maker, who was married twice and had 17 children.  Benjamin was home schooled, and was apprenticed at age 12 to his brother James Franklin  (1697-1735), one of the first American printers.  James published ''[[New England Courant]]'' and it became Ben's first public forum for his essays, written under the pseudonym "Silence Dogood."  Ben, pretending to be a widow, wrote 14 essays in 1722.  The essays drew the anger of the local authorities, who prohibited James from publishing it, citing that it mocked religion.  Ben, now aged 17, was under legal obligation to his brother but broke with him, and ran away to Philadelphia on his own.  Franklin thus was an unhappy and rebelliousness teenager, who had to escape Boston to transform himself into an industrious young

Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] into a Puritan family.  His father was Josiah Franklin, a soap and candle maker, who was married twice and had 17 children.  Benjamin briefly attended the very good South Grammar School (affiliated with the Boston Latin School), then at age 10 was pulled out by his father. He was apprenticed at age 12 to his brother James Franklin  (1697-1735), one of the first American printers.  James published ''[[New England Courant]]'' and it became Ben's first public forum for his essays, written under the pseudonym "Silence Dogood."  Ben, pretending to be a widow, wrote 14 essays in 1722.  The essays drew the anger of the local authorities, who prohibited James from publishing it, citing that it mocked religion.  Ben, now aged 17, was under legal obligation to his brother but broke with him, and ran away to Philadelphia on his own.  Franklin thus was an unhappy and rebelliousness teenager, who had to escape Boston to transform himself into an industrious young

tradesman.<ref> Ben in 1733 visited his many relatives in Boston and reconciled with his brother, and when James died at the age of 38, Ben helped his widow and took charge of James' oldest son.</ref>  

tradesman.<ref> Ben in 1733 visited his many relatives in Boston and reconciled with his brother, and when James died at the age of 38, Ben helped his widow and took charge of James' oldest son.</ref>  

===Almanack===

===Almanack===

In late 1732, he began writing and publishing ''Poor Richard's Almanack'', under the guise of "Poor Richard Saunders" and his wife, Bridget, both fictional characters.  The almanack provided useful information on the seasons while enlightening the reader with witty short sayings. Franklin had a knack for rewording and improving old proverbs in a wittier manner. The almanac appeared annually from 1732 to 1758.

In late 1732, he began writing and publishing ''Poor Richard's Almanack'', under the guise of "Poor Richard Saunders" and his wife, Bridget, both fictional characters.  The almanack provided useful information on the seasons while enlightening the reader with witty short sayings. Franklin had a knack for rewording and improving old proverbs in a wittier manner. The almanac appeared annually from 1732 to 1758, selling over 250,000 copies.

''Poor Richard's Almanack'' shaped provincial society by trumpeting the virtuous common man and by pushing such men into active roles in the public sphere. ''Poor Richard'' outsold competing almanacs published by Atkins, Leeds, Taylor, Jerman, Birkett, and Godfrey by appealing to and providing information for the masses. In the process, Franklin spread the Whig ideology that became American [[republicanism]] to his readers. He praised them for having a better intuitive political knowledge and devotion to republican virtue than those in higher social positions. While trying to open the public sphere to men of ability (like himself), Franklin closed it to women, the poor, and non-English nationalities and races. By discussing Pennsylvania politics and other issues, ''Poor Richard's Almanack'' sought to transform its readers into diligent citizens who would help develop a politically active private sphere within colonial America.<ref> William Pencak, "Politics and Ideololgy in Poor Richard's Almanack". ''Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography'' 1992 116(2): 183-211</ref>  

''Poor Richard's Almanack'' shaped provincial society by trumpeting the virtuous common man and by pushing such men into active roles in the public sphere. ''Poor Richard'' outsold competing almanacs published by Atkins, Leeds, Taylor, Jerman, Birkett, and Godfrey by appealing to and providing information for the masses. In the process, Franklin spread the Whig ideology that became American [[republicanism]] to his readers. He praised them for having a better intuitive political knowledge and devotion to republican virtue than those in higher social positions. While trying to open the public sphere to men of ability (like himself), Franklin closed it to women, the poor, and non-English nationalities and races. By discussing Pennsylvania politics and other issues, ''Poor Richard's Almanack'' sought to transform its readers into diligent citizens who would help develop a politically active private sphere within colonial America.<ref> William Pencak, "Politics and Ideololgy in Poor Richard's Almanack". ''Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography'' 1992 116(2): 183-211</ref>  

One long-term project was creating a network of printers, especially using his own apprentices who would move to other cities to establish themselves. The network of allied printer-publishers extended from New England to the West Indies and lasted from 1729 to the 1790s. It composed his relatives and business associates. It financed printers, played a vital role in developing American journalism, and influenced American morals and ethics by widely disseminating Franklin's ideology of virtue.  

One long-term project was creating a network of printers, especially using his own apprentices who would move to other cities to establish themselves. The network of allied printer-publishers extended from New England to the West Indies and lasted from 1729 to the 1790s. It composed his relatives and business associates. It financed printers, played a vital role in developing American journalism, and influenced American morals and ethics by widely disseminating Franklin's ideology of virtue.  

Upon finding apprentices whose diligence, skill, and character impressed him, Franklin would make them partners, often setting them up in printing businesses of their own. Subsequently, he would use them to expand his business associations, and as deputy postmaster-general for North America he would set up his associates as postmasters in their local areas. Postmasters were the first to receive news and could communicate it quickly to Franklin through their free use of the postal system. By building and using his communications network Franklin was able to both keep abreast of important developments in the colonies and build a network of supporters and admirers who influenced public opinion in their own cities.  As the revolutionary era began, Franklin opposed colonial independence from Britain. Network infighting ensued, pitting Loyalist printers Thomas Wharton and Joseph Galloway against pro-independence publisher William Goddard, who created a private system to deliver his papers that became a model for the US Postal Service. The Continental Congress later appointed Franklin postmaster general, and he, not Goddard, received credit for America's postal system. In 1768, reacting to the Stamp and Townshend acts, Franklin became an activist in the Patriot cause. Many network printers, such as David Hall and James Holt, followed suit when readers objected to their fence-straddling. As revolt approached, network newspapers became influential foes of Britain. War, turmoil, and Franklin's diplomatic absence while in France caused the network eventually to dissolve, and be replaced by networks of party newspapers.<ref> Ralph Frasca,  "'The Glorious Publick Virtue So Predominant In Our Rising Country': Benjamin Franklin's Printing Network During The Revolutionary Era." ''American Journalism'' 1996 13(1): 21-37. 0882-1127 </ref>  

Upon finding apprentices whose diligence, skill, and character impressed him, Franklin would make them partners, often setting them up in printing businesses of their own. Subsequently, he would use them to expand his business associations, and as deputy postmaster-general for North America he would set up his associates as postmasters in their local areas. Postmasters were the first to receive news and could communicate it quickly to Franklin through their free use of the postal system. By building and using his communications network Franklin was able to both keep abreast of important developments in the colonies and build a network of supporters and admirers who influenced public opinion in their own cities.  As the revolutionary era began, Franklin opposed colonial independence from Britain. Network infighting ensued, pitting Loyalist printers Thomas Wharton and Joseph Galloway against pro-independence publisher William Goddard, who created a private system to deliver his papers that became a model for the US Postal Service. The Continental Congress later appointed Franklin postmaster general, and he, not Goddard, received credit for America's postal system. In 1768, reacting to the Stamp and Townshend acts, Franklin became an activist in the Patriot cause. Many network printers, such as David Hall and James Holt, followed suit, as the colonists polarized between Patriots and Loyalists. As revolt approached, network newspapers became influential foes of Britain. War, turmoil, and Franklin's diplomatic absence while in France caused the network eventually to dissolve, and be replaced by networks of party newspapers.<ref> Ralph Frasca,  "'The Glorious Publick Virtue so Predominant in Our Rising Country': Benjamin Franklin's Printing Network During the Revolutionary Era." ''American Journalism'' 1996 13(1): 21-37. 0882-1127; Frasca, ''Benjamin Franklin's Printing Network: Disseminating Virtue in Early America'' (2006) </ref>  

==Marriage==

==Marriage==

==Inventor==

==Science and invention ==

By age 42, Franklin was wealthy enough to retire from publishing and devote most of his time to his scientific pursuits.  

By age 42, Franklin was wealthy enough to retire from publishing and devote most of his time to his scientific pursuits, keeoing in touch with the leading scientists in Britain and the Continent.  Franklin combined commonsense empiricism, always paying very close attention to details and carefully recording his measurements. At the same time he was insatiably speculative, theoretical, and conjectural.  

 

In 1744, he designed the "Pennsylvania Fireplace" (commonly known as the [[Franklin Stove]]<ref> See  [http://fi.edu/franklin/inventor/images/franklinstove.jpg illustration</ref>, a wood burning stove that fit inside a fireplace and maximized useful heat while producing less smoke.  The stove was not as practical as he had hoped, but it laid the groundwork for more efficient wood burning stoves.   

In 1744, he designed the "Pennsylvania Fireplace" (commonly known as the [[Franklin Stove]]<ref> See  [http://fi.edu/franklin/inventor/images/franklinstove.jpg illustration</ref>, a wood burning stove that fit inside a fireplace and maximized useful heat while producing less smoke.  The stove was not as practical as he had hoped, but it laid the groundwork for more efficient wood burning stoves.   

==Albany Plan 1754==

==Albany Plan 1754==

While Franklin thought of himself as a loyal subject, and was comfortable with monarchy and aritocracy, he did express an emerging sense of Americanism.  At the Albany Congress in 1754, he proposed the "Albany Plan of Union", which would have united the colonies under a royal governor, and given the colonies the power to tax themselves. Delegates from several colonies had come together to discuss ways to restore harmonious relations with the Indians but soon found themselves debating Franklin's plan of union, which would have created a unified colonial entity. The plan was rejected on both sides of the ocean, but it formed much of the basis for the later American governments established by the [[Articles of Confederation]] and the Constitution. Franklin himself later speculated that had the 1754 plan been adopted, the colonial separation from England might not have happened so soon.<ref>Almost all scholars agree that the Albany Plan owed nothing to the Indians or their form of government.</ref>

While Franklin thought of himself as a loyal subject, and was comfortable with monarchy and aritocracy, he did express an emerging sense of Americanism.  In 1753, London promoted Franklin to the position of Deputy Postmaster for the Colonies.  The industrious Franklin, who frequently took inspection tours throughout the colonies, revamped the postal system to be more efficient, speeding up delivery times and creating the home delivery system.  From visiting the colonies first hand, coupled with the increasing need for frontier defense, Franklin realized that some form of unification of the colonies was necessary.  In June 1754, a conference was called by the London Board of Trade to meet in Albany, New York to discuss a more unified defense.  He proposed the "Albany Plan of Union", which would have united the colonies under a royal governor, and given the colonies the power to tax themselves. Delegates from several colonies had come together to discuss ways to restore harmonious relations with the Indians but soon found themselves debating Franklin's plan of union, which would have created a unified colonial entity. The Plan was approved by the conference but was unanimously rejected by the colonial assemblies and by London. It was twenty years too soon for the colonies to give up their smug complacency and dependence upon London, rather than each other.  The plan formed much of the basis for the later American governments established by the [[Articles of Confederation]] and the Constitution.</ref>

==Politician==

==Politician==

In 1751, after serving as a clerk 15 years, Franklin was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly.  He used his new position to advance civic projects such as pushing legislation to maintain and light the streets.  One of the primary issues faced by the Assembly was keeping their frontier border safe from Indian attacks orchestrated by the French.  There was frequent conflict between the Assembly and the Proprietary leadership of the Penn family.  The Penns controlled a vast majority of the lands in Pennsylvania, however, forbid them to be taxed which hampered the Assembly's ability to build an adequate militia.  In 1753, Franklin was promoted to the position of Deputy Postmaster for the Colonies, which he would share with William Hunter, by the British government.  The industrious Franklin, who frequently took inspection tours throughout the colonies, revamped the postal system to be more efficient, speeding up delivery times and creating the home delivery system.  From visiting the colonies first hand, coupled with the increasing need for frontier defense, led Franklin to believe that some form of unification of the colonies was necessary.  In June 1754, a conference was called by the London Board of Trade to meet in Albany, New York to discuss a more unified defense.  Franklin presented his [[Albany Plan of Union]], which called for a "General Government" that dealt solely with defense and left all other legislation to the colonies. The Plan was approved by the conference but was unanimously rejected by the colonial assemblies.

In 1751, after serving as a clerk 15 years, Franklin was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly.  He used his new position to advance civic projects such as pushing legislation to maintain and light the streets.  One of the primary issues faced by the Assembly was keeping their frontier border safe from Indian attacks orchestrated by the French.  There was frequent conflict between the Assembly and the Proprietary leadership of the Penn family.  The Penns controlled a vast majority of the lands in Pennsylvania, however, forbid them to be taxed which hampered the Assembly's ability to build an adequate militia.  Penn repeatedly fought the Penn family and tried, without success, to have the King take direct control of Pennsylvania.

==Colonial agent in London==

==Colonial agent in London==

In 1757, Franklin went to [[London]] to represent Pennsylvania in its quarrel with [[William Penn]]’s heirs (Pennsylvania was the last of the propriety colonies).  He remained abroad for eighteen years, not returning to American until 1775. He was invited to join the "Lunar Society" in [[Birmingham]], where he met many intellectuals and leaders of the emerging [[Industrial Revolution]]

In 1757, Franklin went to [[London]] to represent Pennsylvania in its quarrel with [[William Penn]]’s heirs (Pennsylvania was the last of the propriety colonies).  He remained abroad for eighteen years, not returning to American until 1775. He was invited to join the "Lunar Society" in [[Birmingham]], where he met many intellectuals and leaders of the emerging [[Industrial Revolution]]

Franklin also represented several other colonies and became a regular observer, and unofficial representative of the colonies.  In 1765, he assured British politicians that Americans would accept the [[Stamp Act]], but news of colonial protest caused him to back away from that position.  Afterwards, Franklin regularly opposed British attempts to tax the colonies.

Franklin represented colonies in London and became a regular observer, and unofficial representative of the colonies.  In 1765, he assured British politicians that Americans would accept the [[Stamp Act]], but news of colonial protest caused him to back away from that position.  Afterwards, Franklin regularly opposed British attempts to tax the colonies.

===Mission to London===

===Mission to London===

In January of 1757, demonstrating its frustration with the Proprietors, the Assembly elected to send Franklin to London.  Franklin attempted to argue that the colonists should be afforded the same rights as other British citizens, with the ability to govern and tax through an elected legislature.  His attempts to persuade this to both Thomas Penn and Parliament failed.  Although his mission was over by 1758, Franklin lingered in London for another four years.  He enjoyed his time meeting with the local intellectuals and political radicals, and with a touch of regret returned to Philadelphia in 1762.  His return to Philadelphia was to be short-lived.  In the 1764 elections, Franklin failed to be reelected after a vicious pamphlet war labeled him as anti-German and Scottish, which made up a majority of Pennsylvania's frontier population.  He found this to be a blessing in disguise when the Assembly elected to send him back to London to serve as their agent once again.

In January of 1757, demonstrating its frustration with the Proprietors, the Assembly elected to send Franklin to London.  Franklin attempted to argue that the colonists should be afforded the same rights as other British citizens, with the ability to govern and tax through an elected legislature.  His attempts to persuade this to both Thomas Penn and Parliament failed.  Although his mission was over by 1758, Franklin lingered in London for another four years.  He enjoyed his time meeting with the local intellectuals and political radicals, and with a touch of regret returned to Philadelphia in 1762.  His return to Philadelphia was to be short-lived.  In the 1764 elections, Franklin failed to be reelected after a vicious pamphlet war labeled him as anti-German and Scottish, which made up a majority of Pennsylvania's frontier population.  He found this to be a blessing in disguise when the Assembly elected to send him back to London to serve as their agent once again.

==Slavery==

==Slavery==

Franklin in the 1750s owned two slaves, whom he eventually freed, and also ran advertisements for slave sales in his ''Pennsylvania Gazette''.  As a diplomat he supported slavery, but late in life reversed directions and supported the abolition of slavery. He joined the Pennsylvania Abolition Society and became their president in 1787.  The Society had hoped he would bring up the issue of slavery at the Constitutional Convention, which he declined to do, realizing that it would be too contentious of an issue.  In November 1789, he published his ''Address to the Public'' which appealed for the emancipation of slaves and the further education of free blacks.  Franklin's antislavery role was primarily honorific.<ref>David Waldstreicher, ''Runaway America: Benjamin Franklin, Slavery, and the American Revolution''(2004)</ref>

Franklin in the 1750s owned two slaves, whom he eventually freed, and also ran advertisements for slave sales in his ''Pennsylvania Gazette''.  As a youth he had been a runaway himself. As a diplomat he supported slavery, but for Franklin slavery was always more of a political than a moral problem. Late in life he reversed directions and supported the abolition of the slavery trade (but not slavery itself). He joined the Pennsylvania Abolition Society and became their president in 1787; his was primarily honorific.  The Society had hoped he would bring up the issue of slavery at the Constitutional Convention, which he declined to do, realizing that it would be too contentious of an issue.  In November 1789, he published his ''Address to the Public'' which appealed for the emancipation of slaves and the further education of free blacks.  <ref>David Waldstreicher, ''Runaway America: Benjamin Franklin, Slavery, and the American Revolution''(2004)</ref>

==Death==

==Death==

* Anderson, Douglas.  ''The Radical Enlightenments of Benjamin Franklin''  (1997) - fresh look at the intellectual roots of Franklin

* Anderson, Douglas.  ''The Radical Enlightenments of Benjamin Franklin''  (1997) - fresh look at the intellectual roots of Franklin

* Buxbaum, M.H.  ''Critical Essays on Benjamin Franklin'' (1987)

* Buxbaum, M.H.  ''Critical Essays on Benjamin Franklin'' (1987)

* Cohen, I. Bernard.  ''Benjamin Franklin's Science'' (1990) - Cohen, the leading specialist, has several books on Franklin's science

* Cohen, I. Bernard.  ''Benjamin Franklin's Science'' (1990) - Cohen, the leading specialist, has several books on Franklin's science

* Conner, Paul W.  ''Poor Richard's Politicks'' (1965) - analyzes Franklin's ideas in terms of the Enlightenment and republicanism

* Conner, Paul W.  ''Poor Richard's Politicks'' (1965) - analyzes Franklin's ideas in terms of the Enlightenment and republicanism

* Ford, Paul Leicester.  ''The Many-Sided Franklin'' (1899) [http://www.questia.com/library/book/the-many-sided-franklin-by-paul-leicester-ford.jsp online edition] - collection of scholarly essays

* Ford, Paul Leicester.  ''The Many-Sided Franklin'' (1899) [http://www.questia.com/library/book/the-many-sided-franklin-by-paul-leicester-ford.jsp online edition] - collection of scholarly essays

* Lemay, J. A. Leo, ed.  ''Reappraising Benjamin Franklin: A Bicentennial Perspective'' (1993) -  scholarly essays

* Lemay, J. A. Leo, ed.  ''Reappraising Benjamin Franklin: A Bicentennial Perspective'' (1993) -  scholarly essays

* Lemay, J. A. Leo. ''The Life of Benjamin Franklin'' the standard scholarly biography; 3 volumes appeared before the author's death in 2008

* Lemay, J. A. Leo. ''The Life of Benjamin Franklin'' the most detailed scholarly biography, with very little interpetation; 3 volumes appeared before the author's death in 2008

** ''Volume 1: Journalist, 1706-1730'' (2005) 568pp [http://www.amazon.com/Life-Benjamin-Franklin-Journalist-1706-1730/dp/0812238540/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b excerpt and text search]  

** ''Volume 1: Journalist, 1706-1730'' (2005) 568pp [http://www.amazon.com/Life-Benjamin-Franklin-Journalist-1706-1730/dp/0812238540/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b excerpt and text search]  

** ''Volume 2: Printer and Publisher, 1730-1747'' (2005) 664pp; [http://www.amazon.com/Life-Benjamin-Franklin-Publisher-1730-1747/dp/0812238559/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b excerpt and text search]

** ''Volume 2: Printer and Publisher, 1730-1747'' (2005) 664pp; [http://www.amazon.com/Life-Benjamin-Franklin-Publisher-1730-1747/dp/0812238559/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b excerpt and text search]