The Legacy of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin’s legacy, as elaborated through the 18th century American history has significance. In one of Franklin’s highly consummated statements, Americans remember Franklin for his ingenuity and dedicated leadership. Franklin would state that individuals should not have their influence forgotten upon their death. Hence, individuals had to either create written works that would get loved by readers or engage in activities which would expose their worth through the written work. Despite making such statements, Benjamin Franklin would have the above thoughts accomplished through his actions. Currently, Franklin is renowned for his significant inventions and dedicated education which provides benefits to all Americans. In reality, Franklin’s compassion forged the creation of the great American nation.

Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a famous book whose authorship exposes some of the significant historical events in America. Although, the autobiography presents the life lived by Franklin and also reflects about the living of the Americans as it was during the eighteenth century America. Moreover, readers receive guidance to understand the progress which America made through Franklin’s autobiography.

            Benjamin Franklin began living a humble life and poverty would always affect him. However, Franklin would become successful because of his persistence, discipline, principles, efforts, and determination to rise to leadership where he would get identified for his affluence. As a young citizen, Franklin became a reputable inventor, journalist, author, printer, philosopher, and leader.

            Benjamin Franklin authorship of the book begins when he dedicates a letter to William Franklin, his son. The expression in the first part of the book mentions that Franklin does not intend to have objection where he would consider narrating all the aspects of his life. Through his written work, Franklin explains why he directs his attention to have his autobiography written. The book would serve to narrate the events associated with his life. Even though, the book fails to dig into the historical life in which Franklin lived. Franklin focused on having his story put on paper so that he could reflect on the accomplishment achieved. However, the purpose why Franklin would focus to write this book would continuously change in the differentiated chapters of the book. Hence, the book would provide the people with the inspiration which they mainly desired.

            Living in the humble family background, Franklin was his family’s youngest child. Franklin’s father, Josiah Franklin would have Franklin enroll in a grammar school. In return, Franklin had to serve the church. Nevertheless, Franklin considered forfeiting his studies since the tuition fees needed at school had become expensive. Even without going to school, Franklin would continue to study through self-efforts. Moreover, Franklin had to buy books to improve his education with the little money he found.

            Meanwhile, Franklin collaborated with his brother, James Franklin and together, the two associates created a business empire in Boston where James owned a printer. According to the autobiography, this happened when Franklin stopped working with his father. At his fifteenth age, Franklin received an approval to publish his articles on a renowned newspaper, The New England Courant.

            Franklin would hint to James that he was allowed to author the publication of the magazine. James became unhappy because of Franklin’s deceit and would have Franklin’s further writing denied. The monotonous and tedious business association which Franklin had with his brother, James made Franklin forfeit his working deal. Instead, Franklin focused on searching for another work before his contract expired.

            Still, James blocked Franklin’s attempt to get employed in any printing firm in Boston and because of this, the young Franklin, aged seventeen, moved to New York.

It was in Philadelphia where Franklin began having a fabulous life since New York had no jobs reserved for him. In Philadelphia, Franklin started to work in a printing firm owned by Samuel Keimer. During his employment at Philadelphia, Franklin met Sir William Keith who ruled the region as a governor. Franklin’s determination impressed Keith who focused on assisting Franklin set up a printing agency. Besides, Franklin would get encouraged to acquire London’s printing machines and new technology. Keith promised to provide Franklin with a mix of interpersonal and financial support. In reality, Keith had no intention to assist Franklin who would intentionally get abandoned in London. In the meantime, the difficult times which Franklin endured in London ended upon the intervention of Mr. Denham.

            Later, Franklin made a possible return in Philadelphia, and during this time, he established his printing firm. He also instituted the subscription library at Philadelphia. Franklin would again form a Fire Company which led to the establishment of the University of Pennsylvania and the public library. He cleaned the streets and erected light props. With such advancements made,

            Franklin gained recognition because of the reputation he had created. He also established specific beliefs such as morality, tranquility, cleanliness, humanity, cleanliness, justice, sincerity, frugality, industry, resolution, and moderation.

Besides, Franklin became instrumental during the French-Indian war when he encouraged the colonies to stand against the Native Americans and the British. Most importantly, Franklin worked to elevate America’s education level. He used scientific inventions in his career to improving the life approach, standards, and quality life among Americans. In the process, Franklin’s contribution made remarkable influences which impacted most Americans.

            In colonial America, according to the American population structure, women would not benefit from the same rights which men enjoyed. Women were not required to have formal schooling. Besides, they were branded to be inferior to the ability which men had. The position of men as family heads made women to brand their husbands as God. Husbands replicated the influence which God had when they would preside over spiritual issues and when authority was concerned, men would rule at the expense of women. Such problems in the society also exposed that women had the responsibility to mainly provide nurturing and housework services for their families. Women were obliged to obey and report to their husbands, and they would again devote their time serving the family as wives.

            In contrast, Franklin became distinctive about the thoughts he had on the American women. Education was believed to be a priority for every person in America. In his autobiography, Franklin mentions how a widowed woman called Elizabeth impressed him. The woman had countered all the stereotypes when she focused on becoming an accomplished dealer in business. Because of Elizabeth’s influence, Franklin focused on recommending education to all American women. Franklin believed that in the American society, the abilities which women possessed had similarities with the abilities subject to men. Hence, Franklin advocated that women had to receive the opportunity to pursue education and in the process, acquire knowledge. Educating women would assist them to handle and train their family as well as America’s next generation.

            The influence which Franklin created would not only enhance subjecting the American women to education but would also encourage all people to learn.

Franklin’s creation of Junto in 1727 brought a significant influence in America. Members who subscribed to the club’s operations had the autonomy to express their thoughts on social issues, religion, and politics. Through this group, it was proposed and agreed that people would get taxed by measuring the property or wealth. Franklin gets the honor for instituting this taxation method in America.

            Apart from taxation, the Junto established Philadelphia’s first library in 1731 to counter the challenge of few books in Colonial America. Because of such efforts, reading became popular since the masses would read with ease. People became intelligent than other people living in other nations. Moreover, Franklin became fundamental in setting the foundation of Philadelphia’s first college in 1740. The approach would target the young people who were required to receive the knowledge provided through education. Currently, this university is known as the University of Pennsylvania. Equally important, the Poor Richmond Almanack, America’s magazine from 1732 to 1758 focused on educating Americans. It contained significant data like calendar, weather, and astronomy. The people would benefit from virtue principles which assisted them to honor positive and moral behaviors.

            As an inventor, the discoveries and inventions pioneered by Franklin created America’s foundation in science. Most families in the eighteenth century used fire for different reasons like providing warmth. Such operations were not permissible since they could spark fires in most homesteads. Besides, fires produced smoke which could pose health hazards. In 1742, Franklin would invent the open stove and families benefited from safety when creating heat and warming their homesteads during the winter seasons. Franklin had to forge making profits because he focused on saving Americans. Instead, Franklin published pamphlets to demonstrate how his invention worked. In his autobiography, Franklin wanted to use his ingenuity to serve Americans because he could use freely use the science-related designs which other people made.

            Consequently, in the Eighteenth Century, most Americans had their houses burned by lightning. The discovery of the electric power by Franklin through the use of his famous experiments involving the electrical kite proved that lightning was indeed a form of electricity. Lightning robs would get invented. Franklin exposed that wooden houses struck by thunder intercepted fire. However, lighting robs countered the influence of lightning. Despite Franklin’s effort to assist fellow citizens, his autobiography fails to build possible insights for the current generation. Most Americans seem to have changed their thoughts since they cannot readily correlate the contemporary society with the eighteenth-century society.

Conclusion

The contributions made by Benjamin Franklin became significant in determining the growth of America. Currently, most Americans benefit from Franklin’s dedication where he focused on creating a better America. The autobiography which exposes Franklin’s life symbolized the dream which most Americans have to acknowledge. Working harder will result in the minimization of the possible challenges which affect people. Despite making specific inventions that benefited his people, Franklin made the Americans to honor the significance of education. While operating as an enlightened thinker, the dominant ideas by Franklin improved the welfare of the Americans.

Works Cited

Saunders, Judith P. “Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography: The Story of a Successful Social Animal.”Politics and Culture (2010).