How Did Benjamin Franklin Influence American Culture

American history has been influenced by many greats, women and men alike. Men like Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson contributed greatly to American politics, while others such as Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein made great contributions to science. Women, such as Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, helped paved the way for many of the women's right we know today. While many of these people are undoubtedly influential, none really hold the same significance as Benjamin Franklin in American culture. Benjamin Franklin was the most significant man of his time period. Benjamin Franklin's impact on American culture is vast, undeniable, and can be observed from many angles such as his life's work or his contributions to society.
Biographical

Information
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts in the year 1706.

He was the one of the youngest of seventeen children and only briefly attended Boston Latin School until the age of ten when his father pulled him out to work ("Benjamin Franklin"). At the age of twelve, he became an apprentice to his brother James who was a printer. The two did not get along very well because his brother, James, was often hateful towards Franklin. After a dispute with his brother, Benjamin ran away to New York, and then later Philadelphia, in October of 1723 ("Benjamin Franklin"). After arriving in Philadelphia, Franklin was able to find work as an apprentice printer.
Franklin was so skilled at printing that the governor of Pennsylvania promised him his own business if he would travel to London to pick up fonts and printing equipment. Franklin set out for England only to have the governor back out of his promise leave Benjamin stranded in London for several years ("Benjamin Franklin"). Upon returning to Philadelphia in 1726, Franklin unsuccessfully tried his hand at running a print shop, and soon went back to being a printer's

helper.
In 1728, Franklin fathered a child named William out of wedlock. In 1730, Benjamin married his childhood sweetheart, Deborah Read ("Benjamin Franklin"). Franklin eventually was able to borrow money and set himself up in the printing business. In addition to running his own print shop, the Franklins also ran their own store. His wife sold a wide range of things in their store, like soap and fabrics ("Benjamin Franklin"). Franklin also owned and ran a bookstore in which he sold his almanack titled Poor Richard’s Almanack.
In the early 1740’s, he spent his time pursuing his entrepreneurial and scientific interests.

In 1743, he joined the militia and also fathered a new born girl by the name of Sarah ("Benjamin Franklin"). In 1748, he sold his businesses in order to have time for himself and his studies. Having gained much wealth and status In Philadelphia, in 1757, Franklin was sent to England to protest against the influence of the Penns’ in colonial government. Five years later, Franklin played a role in a controversial affair on his way back to the colonies, which caused him to lose his seat in the Assembly. In 1764, he was again sent to England by the colonists to petition against British rule (Mcdowell). While in London, he was a strong force in opposition of the Stamp Act, but also lost much popularity for

it.
Upon his next return to Philadelphia he was elected to be a member of the Second US Continental Congress. According to biopgrahy.com, he was one of five men to help draft the Declaration of Independence as well as the Articles of Confederation (“Benjamin Franklin”). His popular reputation among the French caused him to be dispatched to France as a commissioner for the United States. His diplomatic standing contributed greatly to the success of the peace treaty with England in 1783 (“Benjamin Franklin”). Franklin remained as commissioner until 1785. During the final years of his life, he returned to the United States and became the President of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery while also working on an autobiography (“Benjamin Franklin”). Finally, he died on April 17th, 1790.
Historical Context
Benjamin Franklin was not always the diehard patriot for the cause of American Independence we recognize him to be. Many events influenced the man he became. Firstly, Franklin did not become involved in politics until 1750 when he was in his 40’s. Benjamin Franklin was elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in the year 1751 and in 1757 he was sent as a diplomat to London for the Pennsylvania General Assembly ("London Years").
While in London he engaged in a fierce battle with the Penns over them providing financial assistance for events happening on the home front like the French and Indian War. The Penn family finally gave into Franklin’s demands in 1762. He briefly returned to the colonies only to be sent back in 1764 to fight against the Penns once more for the rights of Pennsylvania to be a royal colony instead of proprietorship ("London Years").