Ben Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

Introduction

“If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, wither write things worth reading, or do things worth writing” -Ben Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding Fathers of United States of America. He is commonly thought to be a pioneering figure, which protested against the Stamp Act, assisted creating the Declaration of Independence, helped in writing and signed the U.S Constitution. He also helped in the peace treaty that ended American Revolts (Jahrg, 1990).

Benjamin born in Boston, 1706, belonged to a middleclass family. Not privileged by a formal education did not stop him from becoming educated. His passion for learning made him strive for self-improvement. With this ability, Benjamin adopted numerous qualities from literature and surroundings. His passion for writing made him write his famous autobiography in 1771. This later became the subject of countless biographies and literature. Franklin's autobiography, a story for self-improvement, told to be an example and a model for life, to all those who seek self betterment (Leamay, 1967).

In his early life, Benjamin Franklin was a man of many trades, printer, scientist, writer, and later, American statesman. None other statesman earned the reputation of being a great philosopher and being the most widely known American of all generations.

Discussion

Autobiography overview

The biography starts with salutation to his son. The starting of the biography is self-effacing and pinpointing to his belief in utilitarianism. He claims to write an autobiography only so that he can explain his son how one can live and go through hurdles of life. His book, a tale of achievements and self improvement, act as a model for self improvement seekers. With this humble objective of writing, Franklin talks about correcting some mistakes to revive his life (Leamay, 1967). When reading this autobiography, one gets to know the author, at least as much as he wants readers to know.

The autobiography has primarily four sections. The first section was formulated in periods of two weeks, while he was on vacations in England. Apparently, it was a letter addressed to his son, who was a governor of New Jersey. It gives an overview of Franklin's early life till 1750, the pre-revolutionary years. Franklin says that he is writing for his son, as he may like to know about his life. He felt content about his life and desired to re-live it by correcting few mistakes. However, since he could not correct, he can instead recollect and guide his son and other readers.

In London, during the crisis of the Stamp Act (Stamp Act), demonstrated his ability as a speaker to speak for the American rights to the House of Commons, his testimony was a major influence on the repeal of the law, act by which was considered the leading spokesman for American rights. As a representative of Pennsylvania, opposed by all means to the enactment of the law in 1765, initially unaware of colonial hostility. He considered the inevitable transition and preferred to submit to it while working for its ...