Happy Birthday, Benjamin Franklin!

by Ruth Storkel

The winter months focus on several great patriots, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, and Ben Franklin.

Ben’s birthday is January 17.

EARLY BEGINNINGS

Ben Franklin (1706-1790) was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1706. His father, Josiah, an English Puritan, had immigrated to the United States in 1863 with his wife, Anne Child. Eventually Anne died and he remarried a second wife, Abiah Folger. In all, Benjamin had 16 siblings. Franklin’s father’s trade was that of a candlemaker and “soaper.”

The Franklin family was very poor. Ben’s education ended at age 10, but as an avid reader, he soon also became an excellent writer. At age 12, he began working for his brother James, a Boston printer; by age 16, Ben was writing essays for James’ paper, using the pseudonym “Silence Dogood.” At age 17, he quit working as his brother’s apprentice and was employed as a printer in Philadelphia. A year later, he crossed the ocean to London, where he became engaged in the printing business. From his early days and throughout his life, he was adventuresome and constantly ready to meet a new challenge.

The name “Ben Franklin” has long been honored and highly regarded; he was a Founding Father, patriot, and statesman. Words that describe him include amazing, remarkable, ingenious, highly intelligent, inventive, creative, wise, patriotic, courageous, and extraordinary. Yes, there was no one quite like Ben!

ACTIVE CITIZEN

At age 18, Ben moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, living there for 54 years. He was a very active, productive citizen, bringing an abundance of beneficial services to the city; these included a library, the first fire company, a police force, the American Philosophical Society, setting up a hospital, and the Pennsylvania Militia. He was a successful printer, and also established a bookstore, which brought him financial gain.

DID YOU KNOW

1. Ben invented swim fins? (they were wooden paddles)
2. Ben invented the Franklin Stove?
3. Ben invented the lightning rod?
4. Ben invented a bifocal lens?
5. Ben invented a flexible catheter?
6. Ben invented a glass harmonica?
7. His face was printed on $100 bills, beginning in 1914.
8. He was a very skilled chess player.
9. He taught himself to speak these languages: Latin, Spanish, French, and Italian.

OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. He was the publisher of Poor Richard’s Almanack.
2. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and later, the U.S. Constitution. He was one of 39 delegates to sign the Constitution.
3. He established the first US Postal Service and was its Postmaster General.
4. He helped establish the University of Pennsylvania.     
5. He created a political cartoon, Join or Die, which was very influential during the American Revolution.
6. He made outstanding contributions to our knowledge of electricity, creating several scientific terms (which are still used).
7. He was the American Colonists’ ambassador to France, instrumental in procuring French military aid that helped win the Revolutionary War.         

POOR RICHARD’S ALMANACK

As a printer, author, and editor, Ben’s publication of the Almanack was very popular and well-liked. The Almanack was published annually from 1733 to 1758. It was full of clever sayings, wise advice, and wit.

Here are a few “Poor Richard” sayings (out of thousands he published):

• After crosses and losses, men grow humbler and wiser.
• A good example is the best sermon.
• A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.
• A lie stands on one leg, the truth on two.
• Moderation in all things— including moderation.
• A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins.
• Where sense is wanting, everything is wanting.
• He is ill-clothed, who is bare of virtue.
• The doors of wisdom are never shut.

LEARNING MORE ABOUT BEN

Upon reading his autobiography, I realized I knew only a few of his many, many accomplishments. What an amazing person! I encourage readers to buy, borrow, or check out library books about him and get acquainted! There are many enjoyable and informative books for children about Ben Franklin, also, some of which we list here:

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN TO ENJOY:

Ben Franklin’s Wise Words by Thomas Kidd

What’s the Big Idea, Ben? by Jean Fritz

Ben Franklin and His First Kite by Stephen Krensky

Ben and Me by Robert Lawson

Amazing Ben Franklin by Peter Lerangis

A Book About Benjamin Franklin by Ruth Gross