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Ben Franklin

Ben Franklin

• The First “American”•Had 4 Careers

1) Business Man2) Scientist and Inventor3) Politician4) Diplomat• Hard Working in all his

Careers

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Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, Ben’s father Josiah Franklin was a candle and soap maker.

15th of 17th children Ben went to 2 years of school.

He worked in his Dad’s candle shop, but didn’t like it. Went to work at his older brother’s (James) printing shop.

At 12 years old, Ben agreed to be his brother’s apprentice until he was 21 years of age.

In 1721, James started his own newspaper. Ben wanted to write but James wouldn’t let him.

Ben disguised himself as Silence Dogood, a widow with funny opinions

Young Benjamin Franklin 1706-1723

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Ran away from his apprenticeship. Went to NYC, but couldn’t find work.

New York, 1723

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Arrived Sept. 25, 1723 Gave in with 2 loaves of bread and a dollar

Walking down the street, he meet his future wife Deborah He meet another printer named Samuel Keimer.

The governor of Pennsylvania, Sir William Keith, wanted Ben to help him start a printing shop and to go to England

Ben would go to London to get equipment. The governor told him there would be letters waiting on the ship for him so he could get

the money from the bank in London After the ship sailed Ben found out there were no letters. Again

he was penniless but this time he was in London.

Philadelphia, 1723-1724

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Knew no one when he arrived penniless Got a job at Samuel Palmer’s Printing Shop Gave up Drinking, nicknamed “Water American”

Later got a job with Thomas Denham Both decided to go back to America and open a print shop

Denham died on the way over to America

London, 1724-1726

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Franklin did his best to live by the virtues he wrote on his trip to London in 1724. He hoped

they would anchor his behavior then and in the future. They did become the cornerstone

of who he was and became. Temperance: Eat not to dullness, drink not to elevation.

Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

Order: Let all your things have their place; let each part of your business have its time.

Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

Frugality: Make no expense but do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary action.

Sincerity: Use no harmful deceit; think innocently and justly; and if you speak, speak accordingly.

Justice : Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

Moderation: Avoid extremes ; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes or habitation. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or by accidents common or

unavoidable. Humility: Last one added

Philadelphia, 1726-1748

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The Junto. Social Club set up by Franklin in

1727 Drank, Sang, and came up with ideas

Average guys of different backgrounds showed up.

Franklin wrote 12 songs here Came up with the University of

Pennsylvania. Night Watchmen

Fire Dept. Public Library

Made Money harder to counterfeit

Philadelphia, 1726-1748

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The Ladies Very popular with the ladies

6’0” Strong Married Deborah Reid Rogers

She adopted Ben’s child William and raised as his own

Also had Francis “Frankie” Franklin and Sally

Not a great father “Keep eyes open before marriage

and eyes shut after it.”

Philadelphia, 1726-1748

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Newspapers Pennsylvania Gazette

Started in 1728 Made him rich

1730 – Official publisher for the colonies

1736 – Postmaster General Franchised out Print shops

“Retired” at 42

Philadelphia, 1726-1748

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In 1732, he published Poor Richard’s Almanak (the k was dropped later).

It was a mixture of facts, weather predication, poems and jokes. Franklin created the character Richard Saunders who introduced

the almanac. Poor Richard was successful and the advice was thoughtful and humorous.

An example of the writing: “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten”, said Poor Richard, “either write things worth reading or

do things worth the writing”

Philadelphia, 1726-1748

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Was competing against LEED’s almanac.

Said Leed’s Died. Many Great phrases

3 may keep a secret if 2 of them are dead.

A penny saved is a penny earned

Fish and guest stink after 3 days.

The squeaky wheel gets the oil

Philadelphia, 1726-1748

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Wondered why and how Flippers

Armonica Color Tests

Franklin Stove Double Spectacles

The Phonetic Alphabet Taking Baths

Open Windows Artificial Arm 3 Wheel Clock

Desk Chair Odometer

Insulation in walls Lighting Rod

Dr. Franklin, the Scientist

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Dr. Franklin, the Scientist

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Too important not to get involved with politics 1751 - Elected to

Pennsylvania Assembly 1753 - Postmaster General

Albany Plan of union 1757-1762 Mission to

England Colonial Representative

Hutchinson Letters Declaration of

Independence

Ben Franklin, the Politician

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Commissioner to France Famous in France Minister to France 1781-1783 Peace

Negotiations

Ben Franklin, the Diplomat

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Constitutional Convention Final Service

Carpenter and Sun chair

Ben Franklin, the Diplomat

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Passed away on April 17, 1790; 84 years old 35 Priests, Ministers, and Rabbis attended his

funeral Cities, Schools, Roads, and 2 Presidents names after

him. Google Hits:

Ben: 62,400,000; Just Timberlake 52,000,000; Kim Kardashian 25,000,000

Ben Franklin, Death and Legacy