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Benjamin Franklin is one of the most widely known and respected American historical figures. He is most recognized for his presence at the signing of the Declaration of Independence and his role as an inventor, printer, and publisher. However, fewer people realize his significant contributions in creating and shaping American institutions such as libraries, hospitals, insurance companies and fire departments, just to name a few of Franklin's civic achievements.
In the 1730s, only the very wealthy and the clergy had access to a large number of books. Franklin along with a group of members from a philosophical association interested in economic, social and political issues named the Junto drew up Articles of Agreement to form out nation's first library in 1731. A group of fifty subscribers each invested forty shilling to start the Library Company and contributed an additional ten shillings every year to buy additional books. Franklin played a role in the Company's operations, taking on the roles of Company Librarian and Company Secretary for a brief time. Early books covered a wide range of topics such as religion,...
Members could borrow books freely and non-members could also borrow books if they put up something of value that could be sold if the book was not returned.
Franklin and Bond founded the Pennsylvania Hospital in 1751 to care for the sick, poor and insane of Philadelphia. Civic leaders such as Franklin wanted to address the increasing number of the poor who were suffering from physical illness and the increasing numbers of people from all classes who were suffering from mental illness. Bond and Benjamin Franklin were friends and Bond was a member of Franklin's Library Company. Bond conceived the idea of the hospital and Franklin became a subscriber and a backer. He organized a petition for the hospital and presented it to the Pennsylvania Assembly on January 20, 1751. The hospital bill met with resistance and Franklin proposed that if the could raise 2000 pounds from private citizens that the Assembly would match these donations. Franklin's fundraising efforts were a success and the hospital bill was signed into law on May 11, 1751. Franklin later stated: "I…
Bibliography
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In the Beginning: The Story of the Creation of the Nation's First Hospital."
21 Feb. 2003. http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/paharc/features/creation.html.
Franklin's Philadelphia." 21 Feb. 2003. http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/philadelphia/library.htm.
Lemay, J.A., "Benjamin Franklin: A Documentary History." 21 Feb. 2003. http://www.english.udel.edu/lemay/franklin/.
Franklin's Philadelphia." 21 Feb. 2003. http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/philadelphia/library.htm.
21 Feb. 2003. http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/paharc/features/creation.html.
Benjamin Franklin An Extraordinary Life. An Electric Mind." 21 Feb. 2003. http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/.
The Revolution was made by those people who could first help themselves in order to help the rest of the world, like the founding fathers. Another American hero, Henry D. Thoreau, can also be easily pinpointed as a self-made man, in the spirit of Benjamin Franklin. His personality was disputed among those who saw in him more of a passive militant for a cause, than an active player, like the
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life The first specific interesting concept I encountered was in Michalko (2001, p. 11). The concept was "Connecting the Unconnected." The ability to see connections where there ordinarily are no such connections, according to the author, is one of the traits of "creative geniuses, where they have "a facility to connect the unconnected by forcing relationships that enable them to see things to which others are blind."
Franklin Autobiography Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography is not only a story of his own relentless attempts at self-improvement, but also designed to be an early advice manual for others who intend to follow in his footsteps. He certainly was one of the most successful men on the 18th Century, rising from poverty and obscurity in Boston to owning a successful printing business, founding the University of Pennsylvania and the American Philosophical Society,
Franklin, instead, was able to see the advantages in unfortunate situations, and to use them to his own benefit. He was able to admit that he was a marginal poet and go on to do other things rather than feel injured or insecure. Again, I feel that having been educated and a talented reader/writer was responsible for much of Franklin's genius, but the ability to be grateful for hardship, to
Benjamin Franklin is considered one of the most important men in American history. Among his many contributions to the world were inventions such as the Franklin stove, the bifocal, and the harnessing of electricity. He is also renowned for his writings, including contributions to the United States' Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. One of his most enduring works has been his multi-volume autobiography wherein he highlights some of the
Benjamin Franklin - the Ideal American Benjamin Franklin is considered by many to be one of the greatest Americans to ever live, and is also held as an important pillar of America's national heritage. Some may also argue that he exemplifies the American dream and all that is truly American. As the son of a candlemaker and only receiving a minimal amount of formal education, Benjamin Franklin was unlimited by his