Benjamin Franklin The Perfect American Man Essay - 551 Words

Benjamin Franklin was a brilliant man who played an important part in the early life of America. He was respected by many, and he made great contributions to American society. While he was not perfect, he does exemplify the qualities of what it means to be American. Through his contributions in inventions, writing, and his practices in managing his time well, he was the perfect American man. With his tremendous intellectual gifts Franklin introduced devices to society that benefited America as a whole greatly. He once stated that, â€Å"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.† These words of his are most applicable to his various great ideas. The interst that he earned was not pecuniary, but it was satifaction that he received†¦show more content†¦The franklin stove was also good for everyone at the time of its invention, because it enabled people to use less fuel while increasing heating efficiency in their homes and businesses. Even today Americans and other people around the world benefit from bifocals that he devised out of sheer disgust at having to switch glasses constantly. These optical devices still retain their usefulness today. His great ideas have made the lives of many in Americans more productive as well as other people around the world. Franklins writing was not traditional in its nature because it had a style of its own. â€Å"Poor Richards Almanac† was a perfect example of a non traditional piece of literature that was still respected in its own light. It provided a reference for the common man. This was especially helpful in this time period because most literature was for the elite class. He wrote other things as well that appealed to people of all walks of life. Franklin made effective use of his time. This strength of his enabled him to be quite productive. Most people today could greatly benefit from his work ethic, and methodical way of carrying out tasks. Each day he made a list of things that he ha d to complete. He also planed out the time periods that he would do certain things in. On any given day he would methodically plan things out. His plans were so detailed that he even included trivial thingsShow MoreRelatedThe Life Of A Beautiful Mantelpiece Sat An Unusual Bust Of One Jane Austen1357 Words   |  6 Pagesshed light on some the virtues that are taken up by Benjamin Franklin in his life to achieve earthly and heavenly success. Malsbary adds onto this study of virtues by taking a close look at one virtue in particular. â€Å"Virtue† has come through history, changing in some ways and staying the same in other ways. Many people have seen virtues as the way to complete the life of man. Homer saw virtue as that which fulfilled the social role the each man was born to take. Virtue was to do what one ought toRead MoreStealing God s Thunder Benjamin Franklin s Lighting Rod And The Invention Of America979 Words   |  4 PagesProfessor John Greg Thompson American History 1 11/30/16 The book Stealing God’s Thunder Benjamin Franklin’s Lighting Rod and the invention of America. By, Philip Dray renowned author, writer, and historian. Philip is known for his comprehensiveness of World history pertaining to racial, scientific, labor and social matters. Dray navigates the reader in an up-close and personal look into the life of Benjamin Franklin, as a youth well into his senior years until death. He outlined facts; BenRead MoreEssay Benjamin Franklins Autobiography 1120 Words   |  5 PagesIt was the year 1706 in Boston, MA when Benjamin Franklin entered the world. Birthed after fourteen other siblings, Franklins family structure is only one deciding factor in the way that this legendary tale pans out. A hero of American Revolution, this novel depicts 18th century realism accurately while logging Franklins personal conception on human nature and social community. Many look at Benjamin Franklins Autobiography as your typical rags to riches tale yet, th e truth and falsehood throughoutRead MoreBenjamin Franklin Essay894 Words   |  4 PagesINTRODUCTION Benjamin Franklin was born in Milk Street, Boston on January 6, 1706. Throughout his existence Franklin exemplified a life of self-improvement. His eagerness to improve himself trickled over into his eagerness to help others improve themselves. Franklin was the youngest son of his father’s 17 children. Coming from such an enormous family, his education ended at the age of ten years old. At the age of twelve Franklin began to work alongside of his brother James. When the two of themRead MoreEssay on The Life of Benjamin Franklin1743 Words   |  7 PagesThe Life of Benjamin Franklin Of two things you can be certain; death and taxes, quoted Benjamin Franklin. Having a humorous outlook on life, Franklin tried to make others lives better. Benjamin was a man who served others and tried to make the world its best until his death. Benjamin Franklin had many accomplishments. He had a busy and eventful life, he played a major role in defending his country, and he was known for his quotes. Franklin was always working to make something better. Read MoreThe Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin1367 Words   |  6 PagesMatthew Matheny HIST 2020 A.P. Tammy Prater 23 November 2014 Benjamin Franklin The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a detailed account of the illustrious experiences of Benjamin Franklin. Though the cultural differences in writing has changed since the 18th century one can learn a lot about one of America’s greatest forefathers through this book. It accounts for Franklin’s life when he was born January 17th, 1706 till the year 1757. Unfortunately, he died in 1790 and was never able to finishRead MorePuritan and Neoclassical Literature981 Words   |  4 PagesNeoclassical Literature Since well before the United States became its own independent nation, the people of this land have worked to develop a purely unique identity. Part of the structure of this identity has been developed through the literature of American authors. When the Puritans came to the New World, they led a life that was focused on their religious beliefs. Through the course of time, the people of the British colonies developed an identity apart from both the homeland of England and theirRead MoreBenjamin Franklin s Accomplishments And Accomplishments Essay1608 Words   |  7 Pages As a founding father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin had a profound and noteworthy influence on the early growth of his nation. Franklin was a prestigious author and inventor that grasped the motive to grow the economy to new heights. His autobiography is an accurate representation of his achievements and the intrinsic motivations that made him the man we think of today. Although it is biased because he writes it only through his eyes, the reader can see the differences he made to theRead MoreEssay about The Virtrues of Benjamin Franklin and Frederick Douglass543 Words   |  3 PagesAutobiography of Benjamin Franklin seem to prove to everyone how articulate, intelligent and sophisticated this man was. He wrote about the trials he underwent to become the writer he is known as today. He even was so intelligent he sought out to publish in his autobiography what virtues would have you â€Å"arriving at the door of moral perfection† (90). He wanted to show everyone that becoming perfect wasnt as arduous as everyone had thought. Benjamin Franklin was true Renaissance Man born at a differentRead More Ben Franklin Essay1642 Words   |  7 PagesBen Franklin Benjamin Franklin was one of the most influential people in American history. Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in a small town in Boston. Benjamin was one of ten children. His father, Josiah was a candle and soap maker, and his mother Abiah Folger was a homemaker. When Benjamin was only twelve years old he signed his identures so that he could apprentice under his brother, working at a printing press. Here he worked for his brother James for over nine years. Benjamin