Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography: Writing, Genius, and Legacy

Introduction: A Singular American Mind

Benjamin Franklin, by his own account, was an unusually energetic, curious, and productive person. We do not often encounter someone who is so multi-talented and who also possesses the ambition and wherewithal to act upon those talents. Thomas Jefferson, and perhaps even Leonardo da Vinci, could be compared to Franklin in their wide-ranging inventions and thinking.

Franklin's areas of inquisitiveness were extensive, and rather than taking a merely passive interest in his ideas, he went on to manifest them as libraries, post offices, stoves, fire stations, and, ultimately, helped draft the document that signifies the free state of America. It is a curious study to determine exactly what Franklin possessed that set him so far above others in his achievements and contributions.

Franklin's boyhood was not necessarily filled with any more opportunities or advantages than those of the average boy. Assisting his father at age ten in the tallow business, then indentured to his brother as a printing assistant, his opportunities did not seem glamorous or likely to lead to fame and fortune. He was clearly a bright person, but was not handed extraordinary privileges — with perhaps one notable exception.

Writing as the Engine of Franklin's Achievements

He attended grammar school at the age of eight and was a voracious reader. His love of reading was encouraged by his father; Franklin read, bought, and sold some fairly complex books at a very young age (Franklin, pg. 16). Extensive reading brought out the writer in Franklin, and at the age of eighteen he wrote his Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain. His work in his brother's print shop provided him access to more books and inspired him to write some poetry.

Although when we think of Ben Franklin we do not necessarily think of him as a writer, his gift of communication through writing was apparently the primary key to his successes throughout his career. He himself notes that "prose writing has been of great use to me in the course of my life, and was a principal means of advancement" (Franklin, pg. 18). His father provided constructive criticism of his writing style, and Franklin worked diligently on his own to perfect and polish his ability to write. Perhaps Franklin's love of learning can be attributed, at least in part, to the fact that he spent only a short time in a structured school setting and was, for the most part, out in the real world working, communicating, and learning.

Whatever the reasons for his accomplishments, writing was at the core of realizing his ideas. When Franklin proposed the idea of the first subscription library, he first wrote a plan and set out the rules and concepts of its organization. Writing helped Franklin to clarify his thoughts and bring his ideas to fruition. For example, he composed prayers for his own use in lieu of attending church, and he carefully organized in writing the "virtues" that he determined would help him in his quest for moral perfection. His written paper on house fires served as the basis for the first system of insurance, in addition to the articles of agreement signed by insured property owners.

These written documents also led to the formation of firehouses. Owning a newspaper was a natural profession for a man so attached to words. Having newspapers delivered by horseback through the postal system gave him an advantage over other publications and was also a benefit to the colonists who had scarce contact with the rest of the country.

After inventing the efficient Franklin stove, he promoted his idea by publishing a pamphlet explaining its construction and use. True to his chosen nature, he did not accept a patent for the stove, offering it up for the betterment of humankind rather than seeking a profit. Written proposals for the formation of a college, and later for a community hospital, served to inspire communities to become involved and support these projects. He convinced people to support a city street-cleaning project by writing a newspaper article, which eventually led to writing a bill for paving city streets and, later, for lighting them.

Every accomplishment credited to Ben Franklin began with his ability to write out a plan, an idea, or a project, and to organize it in well-chosen words. The first plan to form a union of the colonies, although initially rejected, was authored by Franklin. Numerous conciliatory plans and proposals were also his work, aimed at keeping peace and providing for the British army upon their arrival in America. All of his political and civic work was initiated by documents he authored, including his contribution to drafting the Declaration of Independence.

Conclusion: An Enduring Inspiration

Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is an inspiration. I was able to look past the outdated hints of racism and misogyny, knowing that this man literally gave his entire life to the cause of improving the status of humanity. He was truly interested in being the best person he could be, and he achieved that goal far beyond anyone I have encountered — through diligence, determination, humor, and wisdom.