Meet Benjamin Franklin Franklins Background Born one of
Meet Benjamin Franklin
Franklin’s Background • Born one of 17 children • Prosperous merchant, owner of print shop and publisher of The Pennsylvania Gazette by age of 24
Franklin’s Background • Promoted numerous municipal projects: – Paved streets – Sewer lines – Improved street lighting – Founded Academy of Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania)
Contribution to Society • Scientist and inventor -open heating stove -bifocal glasses -lightning rod and many more. . • Always looking for ways for selfimprovement and the improvement of society
Contribution to Society • Franklin traveled back and forth from Europe to America • Helped draft the Declaration of Independence
Franklin’s Autobiography • Started when he was 65 years old • Never finished, published after death • Selection begins w /Franklin’s escape from a secret “indenture” (contract of service), that his brother forced him to sign
Franklin’s Autobiography Continued… • As a teen, Franklin was apprenticed to his older brother at a Boston newspaper • Felt he was treated harshly
What is an apprenticeship? • A youth could sign a contract, called an indenture, obligating him to work for a skilled craftsman for a given number of years in exchange for room, board, and training in his craft.
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