In Search Of A Better World
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Benjamin Franklin was an amazing person. He was born in 1706, the ninth child out of eleven. He only went to a formal school for two years, but he taught himself four different languages, plus the Latin and English he already knew. After his short time in school, Franklin was apprenticed to his brother James, who was a printer. At 17, Franklin ran away to New York City, and then he headed to Philadelphia where he opened a printing shop in 1730. This publishing was how he first gained fame and connections. He also used a variety of pen names to write letters and stories for newspapers. Deborah Read lived with Franklin for 7 years, and then they were regarded as married. They had two children together, Francis and Sally. Franklins other son William had close ties with England and was later arrested. Benjamin Franklin had slaves most of his live, but later he became a strong abolitionist.
What impressed me the most about Benjamin Franklin was his commitment towards the improvement of society. He invented many devices, like bifocals, that make our lives nicer. Franklin also helped to found the oldest public library in America, the first bilingual college, the first public hospital, volunteer fire brigade, and property insurance company. Instead of wanting credit for his incredible discoveries, Franklin just wanted his ideas to help his community and world, and would allow others to use them. On top of all these achievements, he was a master diplomat to France and England. His reputation and charisma helped the American cause, and his negotiating skills made minority groups like the Native Americans feel respected. Even after suffering from gout and kidney stones, Franklin made the Constitutional Convention as the oldest member. Benjamin Franklin was a scientist, a scholar, a diplomat, a patriot, and most of all an incredible contributor to American society.
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