Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Abstract

This paper is about how Benjamin Franklin established the public library in Philadelphia and what effects it had on him as the community where he was located. It then moves towards the next discussion which is related to the moral perfection quest for Benjamin and how he attained that accomplishment. In the end we see Benjamin's religious orientation.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Discussion1

Establishment of Public Library in Philadelphia1

Effect of This Library on Franklin and on His Community2

Franklin's Quest and Process for Moral Perfection2

Challenging Virtues3

A Speckled Ax is Best3

Franklin: a Religious Man4

Conclusion4

References5

Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Introduction

Benjamin Franklin, tenth son of Josiah Franklin, was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston. Josiah Franklin was a soap maker by profession. Benjamin's father intended him to become a clergyman but could not afford to send him to school. After a year of schooling Benjamin became very fond of reading (www.ushistory.org, n.d). A brief account of some of the events in Benjamin's life is discussed below.

Discussion

Establishment of Public Library in Philadelphia

The time when Benjamin Franklin was established in Pennsylvania there were very few booksellers in any adjoining colonies. The printers were also stationers, in New York and Philadelphia, who sold ballads, almanacs and a small number of other school books. Books came from England for those who loved reading and the members of Junto had few books with them. So a room was rented to build the club and Benjamin proposed to the other members that they should all gather their books in that room. This made books available for any consultation during conferences or if anyone wanted to take them home for reading.

“Finding the advantage of this little collection, I propos'd to render the benefit from books more common, by commencing a public subscription library”

(FRANKLIN, chapter 8)

Then Benjamin then extended this benefit to others too and opened a public subscription library. The plan was to get subscription from interested people, who were no more than fifty who were found after considerable effort, and charge them one time subscription fee and then annual charges. That subscription fee was used to import books and the library was finally opened. Library was opened to all the subscribers one day in a week for lending. This produced such a good effect on the community that other colonies and provinces also copied Benjamin's idea and opened up their libraries following his idea.

Effect of This Library on Franklin and on His Community

The library improved Benjamin a lot because he used to study for an hour or two daily. This was the only amusement he indulged into. The libraries also expanded due to incoming donations and people devoted most of their time to study since there was no other major amusement present at that time. The effect of this was observed by few strangers who said that people here were more learned and intelligent than people in the same position in other countries.

Franklin's Quest and Process for Moral Perfection

“I wish'd to live without committing any fault at any time”

(FRANKLIN, Chapter ...