The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is both Franklin's chief literary work and a vital historical document. The document was written by Benjamin Franklin, who is believed to be one of United States' founding fathers. He was a civic activist, printer, Politician, political theorist, scientist, diplomat, statesman, postmaster, and inventor. Remarkably, this was the first document to achieve widespread prominence and still after more than two hundred years it stands out as one of the most enduring well-known example of the genre ever composed. Accordingly, the document gives an account of Franklin’s influential career and maps out a system for independent accomplishment with regards to the rising American …show more content…
He started his autograph by a saluting him, “Dear Son” (Bigelow, 9). The reason or purpose for writing the autobiography to his son was to let him know how he lived his life and use his success and failures as guidance. Even after his son’s death, Franklin continued to write since he wanted the story of his life to serve as a lesson to all the people and show all he did and was involved in. In 1771 he wrote the first part addressing his eldest son but the second to fourth parts that were written from 1784 to 1790 reflect the hope of Franklin that his writing could find a larger audience aimed at benefiting humankind. The culture of hard work and dependence on God prompted Franklin to write the autobiography. His book contains of many ways that demonstrate how an ambitious person can succeed in life if they are determined to work hard, seizing opportunities and how good luck can benefit a situation greatly. The autobiography brings out the aspect of bravery and entrepreneurship. Before Franklin turned fourty-two, he had “founded a library, organized a fire company, helped start the academy that became the University of Pennsylvania, and organized a debating club that grew into the American Philosophical Society” (Tindall & Shi, 2013, p 147). Franklin thought that through living a life of simplicity and frugality along with improving one’s education and challenging …show more content…
Being an arch-democrat, he felt that anyone could mold their social and economic status by personal virtues. According to the autobiography, his life was evidence that anything was possible for anyone in America. Therefore, the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is considered an essential document in shaping the American history and character as it shaped the expectations of Americans. Franklin’s vision has been attributed to the aspiration for vast fortunes, and his individualism appeared as the paragon of the American
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is both Franklin's chief literary work and a vital historical document. The document was written by Benjamin Franklin, who is believed to be one of United States' founding fathers. He was a civic activist, printer, Politician, political theorist, scientist, diplomat, statesman, postmaster, and inventor. Remarkably, this was the first document to achieve widespread prominence and still after more than two hundred years it stands out as one of the most enduring well-known example of the genre ever composed. Accordingly, the document gives an account of Franklin’s influential career and maps out a system for independent accomplishment with regards to the rising American …show more content…
He started his autograph by a saluting him, “Dear Son” (Bigelow, 9). The reason or purpose for writing the autobiography to his son was to let him know how he lived his life and use his success and failures as guidance. Even after his son’s death, Franklin continued to write since he wanted the story of his life to serve as a lesson to all the people and show all he did and was involved in. In 1771 he wrote the first part addressing his eldest son but the second to fourth parts that were written from 1784 to 1790 reflect the hope of Franklin that his writing could find a larger audience aimed at benefiting humankind. The culture of hard work and dependence on God prompted Franklin to write the autobiography. His book contains of many ways that demonstrate how an ambitious person can succeed in life if they are determined to work hard, seizing opportunities and how good luck can benefit a situation greatly. The autobiography brings out the aspect of bravery and entrepreneurship. Before Franklin turned fourty-two, he had “founded a library, organized a fire company, helped start the academy that became the University of Pennsylvania, and organized a debating club that grew into the American Philosophical Society” (Tindall & Shi, 2013, p 147). Franklin thought that through living a life of simplicity and frugality along with improving one’s education and challenging …show more content…
Being an arch-democrat, he felt that anyone could mold their social and economic status by personal virtues. According to the autobiography, his life was evidence that anything was possible for anyone in America. Therefore, the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is considered an essential document in shaping the American history and character as it shaped the expectations of Americans. Franklin’s vision has been attributed to the aspiration for vast fortunes, and his individualism appeared as the paragon of the American