Benjamin Franklin Is One of the Most

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, education, politics, philosophy and business. 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 do not remember any of my political manoeuvres, the success of which gave me at the time more pleasure..."

Franklin proposed that Philadelphia should have fire-fighting clubs similar to those in Boston. He organized the Union Fire Company in 1736. Its members pledge to help one another if fire should breakout by putting out the fire, saving goods within the building and protecting the building from looters. Union Fire Company members were only required to protect the properties of other members. The original twenty-five members also met once a month to discuss fire-fighting techniques and company policies. Soon other fire companies and clubs were formed and provided protection for most of the city.