Sir Isaac Newton Said, \"We

¶ … Sir Isaac Newton said, "we stand on the shoulders of giants." This saying goes particularly well with the history of our founding fathers. Of all the fathers of the nation I respect the most, Benjamin Franklin stands out.

I believe that Benjamin Franklin was the ultimate example of a patriot, diplomat, scientist and businessman, with a bit of scallywag thrown in. Born a Quaker to thrifty parents, he viewed his purpose in life as making a difference for his fellow man.

He learned early that he had a talent for writing, and used those talents to create Poor Richard's Almanack, which was the best-selling publication of its kind in America. He founded the Franklin Press, which allowed him to recognize savings on his printing, and to become a locus for printing in the pre-revolutionary days.

Franklin had a knack for organizing people. People enjoyed his company, and found him stimulating. He formed a partnership with Dr. Rusk and several other prominent Philadelphians to form the first hospital in the Colonies, in 1751. This demonstrated his abilities to help others, to form associations with talented people, and to get things done.

By the time of the Declaration of Independence, Franklin was a fairly old man -- in his fifties. He was one of the leaders behind the formation of the colonies, and tried for a long time to reason with the British Government to find better treatment for his fellow colonists. In 1775, he went as head of a delegation to the court of George III, but received no support for his petitions. He was to remember that treatment when he returned, triumphant, in 1783 to help negotiate the end of the Revolutionary War.

Franklin had a lot to lose from fighting the British. He was Postmaster General, a position appointed by the Crown, and one of the most lucrative positions in the Colonies at the time. When Franklin joined with those backing independence, he abandoned his position. Of course, he became Postmaster General of the new United States.