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Benjamin
Franklin was born on January, 17 1706 in Boston,
Massachusetts. He was
one of ten children born to Josiah Franklin, a soap
maker, and his wife Abiah Folger. Josiah wanted
Benjamin to enter the clergy but could not afford
to send him for schooling. Consequently, when Benjamin
was 12, he apprenticed for his brother James who
was a printer. Benjamin worked extremely hard at
formatting the text and composing publications.
When
Benjamin was 15, his brother printed the first editorial
newspaper in Boston. Unlike other publications throughout
Boston that simply reprinted events, James' newspaper,
called The New England Courant, printed articles
and editorial columns. Benjamin was very interested
in his brother's newspaper and desperately wanted
to help him write it. Unfortunately, he knew that
James would not allow a fifteen year old boy to
write articles. Benjamin thought of a plan. He would
write under an anonymous pen-name and slip the articles
under the door at night. He chose the name Silence
Dogood. Articles written by Silence Dogood became
very popular. People throughout Boston wanted to
know who she was. She spoke out about issues abroad
and the poor treatment of women. Finally, after
16 letters, Benjamin confessed to James that he
was Silence Dogood. James was very angry and jealous
of the attention Benjamin received.
Nevertheless,
the paper continued. James' editorials became increasingly
critical of the Puritan leadership within Boston,
especially for their support of the smallpox inoculation
(which the Franklins believed made people sicker).
James was incarcerated for his criticism and Benjamin
was left in charge of publication. When James was
released from jail, he beat Benjamin, despite the
fact that he had kept the publication afloat. In
1723, Benjamin ran away and eventually ended up
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he met Deborah
Read. While in Philadelphia, Benjamin lived with
her family and soon found work as an apprentice
printer. Franklin was an excellent printer and was
sent by the governor of Pennsylvania to London to
purchase font types and printing supplies. In exchange
for his service, the governor promised to help Benjamin
start his own printing business. In the meantime,
Benjamin and Deborah had grown very close, and she
had begun to suggest they should get married. Benjamin
felt unprepared, and left for England. Unfortunately,
the governor lied, and Benjamin was forced to work
in London for several months. Deborah married another
man while he was gone (but the relationship was
far from over).
Upon
his return to Philadelphia, Benjamin borrowed money
and started his own printing business. He worked
extremely hard and soon received government printing
contracts. Benjamin's business became very successful
and he became well known throughout Philadelphia.
In 1730, he married his sweetheart Deborah Reed,
whose husband had left her.
In
1729, Franklin bought the Pennsylvania Gazette and
turned it into the most successful newspaper in
the colonies. His newspaper contained the very first
political cartoons. Benjamin continued to design
and author creative and popular publications. In
1733, he printed his Poor Richard's Almanac. While
most almanacs of the time contained weather reports
and other predictions, Poor Richard's Almanac contained
lively writing, interesting facts, and creative
sayings - many which are still used today. "A
penny saved is a penny earned" came from Franklin's
almanac.
While
Benjamin was busy with his publications, he also
found time for charity and public work. Franklin
launched various campaigns designed to improve the
quality of life for Philadelphia's residents. He
helped in lighting and paving Philadelphia's streets,
cleaning up its environment, and in starting America's
first circulation library. He also started the American
Philosophical Society as well as the Pennsylvania
Hospital, Philadelphia Union Fire Company and The
Philadelphia Contribution for Insurance Against
Loss by Fire Company.
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