Those Who Disapprove
Benjamin Franklin, born of Josiah and Abiah Franklin, was easily one of the most forward thinkers in history. He was full of rich ideas, passion for his own beliefs, and paved a path to greatness for himself. These strong passions were Franklin’s biggest strength and his most deteriorating weakness. The pride and fullness that he carried created hatred and distrust towards him. His passions first turned his own father against him. Later on an old friend, William Smith, joined forces with Thomas Penn in an alliance against Franklin. Consequently, nephew of Thomas Penn, Governor John Penn, joined the feud against Franklin that lasted throughout his time in Pennsylvania and England. Throughout Benjamin Franklin’s illustrious
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career, his confidence in his own beliefs turned many people against him, but his charm brought in many and helped raise his name to being one of the most well known in history. Franklin was disliked early on by his own father.
He was pushed into Boston Grammar School, where plans did not allow him to stay in school, but to pursue greater things outside of academics. While Franklin was on the pursuit of greater accomplishments than ministry school, he started to work for his father, Josiah. Franklin had a fire stirred inside of him out of hatred for his father’s work, threatening to run away and become a sailor. When this occurred, Franklin’s father suggested that he work under his brother who was in the printing trade. Working away from his father’s line of work and disagreeing with that occupation was what created Franklin’s first detractor, Josiah Franklin. Had it not been for this very first person to disapprove of his passion and ambition, Franklin may have not fallen into the writing trade which became the ignition of his famed …show more content…
career. The disapproval of Benjamin Franklin by his father Josiah was not as much of a distrust as it was a family disagreement. Family lines of work were important in those times and it was important to fathers to have their sons follow in their steps and continue that work. Benjamin having different desires and dissenting his father’s occupation created a potential disappointment of Benjamin by Josiah. When this dislike of Benjamin’s ambitions arose, he began to find his way with a natural ability to write. Writing became Benjamin’s life, and he eventually ran the paper publication himself when his brother was incarcerated. Shortly after this, Benjamin followed those ambitions to Philadelphia, where a fame hungry Governor Keith persuaded Benjamin to embark on his own. In 1724 Benjamin chased his dreams just how his father ordered him not to, by sailing across the Atlantic to Europe to establish his entity and make a name for himself. Benjamin returned to Philadelphia in 1726 after establishing roots in London. Furthermore, becoming manager of a printing company is where Benjamin would begin to spread his charm and his fame. As Robert Middlekauf states in Benjamin Franklin and His Enemies, “Franklin's virtues and his strength made some men his enemies.” (Middlekauf 22). These virtues that Middlekauf is referring to created some of Benjamin Franklin’s first professional enemies. These dissenters being unlikely partners, Thomas Penn and William Smith. William Smith was at one time a friend of Benjamin Franklin, and what created a rivalry between the two was the differentiating opinions of politics of religion. Franklin believed in the Quaker politics and wanted that to coincide with the college while Smith refused Quaker ways and wanted an Anglican college. Smith and Franklin battled through letters voicing their opinions and views, and that proved to be the dividing line in what used to be an ordinary friendship. William Penn was a Quaker that believed in civil rights and freedom of religious views for everyone. After William Penn’s death in 1718, Thomas Penn was left to carry on his views and continue to go head to head with Franklin. Therefore, Thomas Penn took William Penn’s ideology and shifted it from the original support of Quaker politics. While Thomas was to carry on William Penn’s views of civil rights and religious freedom for all, instead he shut down that broad view of religion and politics when he married an Anglican. Consequently, his views were altered and he joined William Smith in his dissenting view of Franklins political beliefs. The conflict between Franklin and Penn was not a quick quarrel. They battled through the mid 18th century as Franklin wanted the Crown to take over the colonies. When Franklin went to England trying to overtake Penn, the battle seemed to intensify. “The truth was that he wanted to hurt Penn more than anything else” (Middlekauf 76). When Franklin fell short of his mission and returned to America in 1763, the feud seemingly dissolved. However, the fire started again with the massacre of Indians in December 1763. The reason that this sparked a continuance in the feud is that Thomas Penn’s nephew John Penn was Governor at that time, and when the events took place he acted quickly; unlike his previous actions during his tenure. Franklin, within two months of the killings, wrote a cry for justice titled: A Narrative of the Late Massacres. Since Franklin did not hold office, he could not proclaim as though Governor Penn did, so he created this work to portray his emotions of the horrible events. Consequently, Thomas Penn took this to heart because it seemed as if his nemesis and his nephew were allies. This turned quickly when Governor Penn created distrust between himself and Franklin. Governor Penn decided to make the decision to reject Franklin’s ideas of attacking the frontiersmen as a whole. “Within a few weeks, according to Franklin, Governor Penn's arbitrary actions had brought him and the proprietary government into ‘sudden contempt’ and destroyed all regard for him in the Assembly” (Middlekauf 81). Franklin continued his battle with Thomas Penn and William Smith by writing his old friend John Fothergill in regards of his plan to have the Crown overtake the Government. 1764 was a time for Benjamin Franklin where he created a widespread array of enemies for himself. His plans to use the Assembly to overtake Penn’s Government wouldn’t go unnoticed by many. As Allen Saunders once said, “Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans”. Franklin could have used this refresher as he planned to persuade the king’s ministers that the Government of the Penn’s was no longer capable of efficiently utilizing their proprietary powers. While Franklin felt that he could convince the Crown that the frontiersmen were endangering Philadelphia, what he could not control is the utter distaste for a shift of power by the English Government. Therefore, Franklin continued his fight as he wrote the “Necklace of Resolves” to explain all of his and the Assembly’s positions to obtain power from the Penn’s. In this process, he was faced with gauging the Crown and the people of Pennsylvania separately. Franklin came out on top by gaining the Assembly’s approval of the “Necklace of Resolves”. This was only a victory for Franklin until the petitions came back not in favor of his movements. Therefore, Franklin would be forced to continue fighting his battles with William Smith and Governor John Penn. During the election of 1964, Smith and Governor Penn began hitting Franklin where it hurt his reputation the most. Details about his child born out of wedlock when he was young, not by Deborah Franklin whom Benjamin married in 1730. According to Governor Penn and Smith’s writings, the mother was a maid that worked for Franklin named Barbara. Barbara was said to have “…worked apparently so hard that she was his ‘slave,’ a ‘Kitchen Wench’ and ‘Gold Finder’” (Middlekauf 97). These startling details about Franklin’s love interests were just the beginning of what ruined Franklin’s election chances. Smith had previously accused Franklin of stealing discoveries leading to electricity, and decided to bring that accusation back into the limelight in honor of the upcoming election. While certain scientists denied these claims of Franklin stealing their discoveries, Smith’s efforts were relentless. Newspapers followed Smith and Governor Penn’s ways of accusations against Franklin, and the distrust of Benjamin Franklin spread across Pennsylvania. For the first time in fourteen years, Franklin lost the election both for the county and city offices. This was of no surprise to Governor Penn, William Smith, and Thomas Penn who colluded to turn Franklin and Galloway out. At this point in Franklin’s career, he was faced with the most distrust and hatred toward him to date. The Penn’s had effectively turned Pennsylvania against one of the most well known, knowledgeable individuals in history. Due to the pride and strength of Benjamin Franklin, he often looked past what other people were going to think of his actions, and just did what he believed in.
Franklin was responsible for two of the most important documents in American history, The Declaration of Independence (1776), and The Constitution (1785). These contributions to American history are the core of our Government, and the core of our nation today. Franklin was never shy about believing that he was always right. Throughout his life he wrote countless letters and prefaces to those who did not support his beliefs, and those whom he was persuading for support. As Dwight Eisenhower once said, “This world of ours… must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect”. This quote ties into Franklin’s life because he was the creator of distrust. Consequently, he was unable to repair broken relationships with friends and colleagues that he ruined along the way. While Franklin was one of the proudest and well-deserving politicians in history, he did not make many positive steps towards creating a better trust between the political community whether it be in Pennsylvania or England. However, his journey did not go unappreciated. After Franklin’s death, he was thought of as “more than George Washington, to be the father of his country” (Ketcham
12). Through his unsettled career, Franklin was one of the biggest movers and shakers in politics. His positions in office, as well as the fights to overtake the Penn’s, resulted in a very widely known set of beliefs. Starting at merely twelve years old, Franklin was able to create an enemy out of his unfulfilled passions to do more. Having his father be his first enemy gave him the willpower to create his own fame and knowledge. Along the way he ran into many other people who disagreed with his beliefs, such as: Thomas Penn, William Smith, John Penn, and at one point the entire colony of Pennsylvania was turned against him. This never slowed him down, but propelled him to greater heights with every enemy he made. The confidence that was portrayed by Franklin is second to none, and is perhaps the sole reason that he was able to change history while making a new enemy in every chapter of his life. Works Cited: Franklin, Benjamin. Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin : 1706-1757. Auckland, NZ: The Floating Press, 2009. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 15 March 2017. Johar, Marzuki Jamil Baki Bin Haji Mohamed, "Benjamin Franklin and His Critics: John Adams, Mark Twain, and David Herbert Lawrence" (1997). Masters Theses. 1832. http://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/1832. Ketcham, Ralph Louis. “Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography.” Landmark of American Writing. Ed. Hennig Cohen. New York: Basic Books, 1969. Middlekauff, Robert. Benjamin Franklin and His Enemies. University of California Press, 1996. EBSCOhost, proxy.campbell.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.campbell.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=4544&site=ehost-live. Penegar, Kenneth Lawing. Political Trial of Benjamin Franklin : A Prelude to the American Revolution. New York, US: Algora Publishing, 2011. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 15 March 2017.
Gordon S. Wood delves into Benjamin Franklin’s philosophical, political, and personal legacies in the biography, The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. The book travels through Franklin’s experiments, his travels in Europe, and his role in the American revolution. The book begins when Franklin retires from business and becomes a gentleman. It was when he became a gentleman, it allowed him to analyze the world around him. “Indeed, he could not drink a cup of tea without wondering why the tea leaves at the bottom gathered in way rather than another,” a quote from Edmund S. Morgan’s book, Benjamin Franklin. Franklin spent a great deal of time in Britain before returning to America. When he returned, he threw himself into the American revolution, which sent him to France. After he accomplished his duties in France, he returned back home to America where he ran for public office.
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers to the United States, was not a patriot but a mere loyalist to England before the dissolution between England and the colonies occurred. Sheila L. Skemp's The Making of a Patriot explores how Benjamin Franklin tried to stay loyal to the crown while taking interest in the colonies perception and their own representation in Parliament. While Ms. Skemp alludes to Franklin's loyalty, her main illustration is how the attack by Alexander Wedderburn during the Privy Council led to Franklin's disillusionment with the British crown and the greater interest in making the Thirteen Colonies their own nation. Her analysis of Franklin's history in Parliament and what occurred on the night that the council convened proves the change behind Franklin's beliefs and what lead to his involvement in the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.
Benjamin Franklin’s ethics helped convey to the audience that they were not just listening to another representative's opinion in the room. His “diplomatic skills”(43) in this speech helped make the delegates listen and take his view into consideration. Such a reputation can make people ponder and contemplate his words and meanings. Franklin does not approach the debate with unfair reasoning or a lack of knowledge. In fact, he mentions “when you assemble a number of men...you inevitably assemble with those men and all their prejudices...”(43) showing that he is aware of other people’s opinions and thoughts. He uses the other delegates opinions to attempt a compromise.
Many speeches have shaped the nation we live in today. Patrick Henry’s “Speech in the Virginia Convention” and Benjamin Franklin’s “Speech in the Convention” are two of the most prominent speeches that have assisted in the forging of our new nation. The “Speech in the Virginia Convention” serves to encourage those that listened to take arms against the British and fight the injustice being done to them. The “Speech in the Convention” admits to the imperfections of the Constitution but supports its ultimate purpose. Both Patrick Henry and Benjamin Franklin believe leaders must do away with compromise and lead when it’s best for the people as a whole. However, Patrick discourages any future compromise, while Benjamin Franklin feels that future
The conflict between Benjamin Franklin and his only living son is a microcosm of the little-understood clash between those Americans who strived for independence from British occupation and those that felt the country was either not or never would be ready for self-governance. Benjamin Franklin felt strongly enough about his son’s actions to label them betrayal; William Franklin felt strongly enough about the foolhardiness of the Revolution to suffer his father’s wrath. The actions of the loyalists are understood by Americans to constitute treason, but this is a simplification. Many loyalists felt that r...
Franklin’s accomplishments arose from the influence of family, friends, education, and personal experience with being African American. He had a difficult task as an historian as he was writing about the neglected history of his minority group while being an advocate for the rights of this group. This could be perceived as a conflict of interest, but he thought of it as being beneficial. His method of writing was not to promote African Americans, but to interpret their involvement in the framework of American history. This was not something that had been done extensively and thoroughly before. Franklin set the stage and helped to create a widely accepted field of history.
Benjamin Franklin was a remarkably talented man. He started his life as a printers apprentice, but went much farther then there. He developed things that were far more advanced than the time. Benjamin Franklin's stove for example, for cold winter nights, and bifocal lenses for reading. Franklin tracked storms to help understand the horrible weather endured by the colonies. But gis study of electricity made him mist famous and he was known world wide as the founder of the lightning rod. Not only was Benjamin Franklin helpful in developing ideas for better living, he was also a strong force in developing the new nation of America. Benjamin Franklins political views showed him to be a man who loved freedom and independence. His views towards England gradually changed from like to dislike until he finally
Benjamin Franklin is one of the most profound individuals in American history. He is a Diplomat, Writer, Inventor, a founding father, and holds the title as the “First American.” In 1706 Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony. He is the fifteenth of seventeen children that his father, Josiah Franklin, had. At the age of 8 years old Franklin attended school, here he learned literacy. In spite of his successes in school, he had to drop out at the young age of 10 to assist his father with his business. Franklin did not enjoy working for his father’s business, however he had to work at his father’s shop for about 2 years. Josiah then had Benjamin apprenticed to his little brother, James, who was a printer. James is the founder
Benjamin Franklin was the youngest of ten sons of a Boston soap and candle maker, had little formal schooling, and was trained in adolescence as a printer's apprentice. Ben's father, "intending to devote Ben as the tenth of his sons to the service of the church" put Ben into grammar school at the age of eight (Franklin (book) -335). With his parents intending for him to have a career in the church it was a sure shock that Franklin became a Deist, a religion based on reason and logic, rather than revelation or tradition. As a teenager, Franklin was given some books against Deism, and it just so happened that they wrought an effect on him that was quite contrary to what was intended by them. He realized that the arguments of the Deists appeared to be much stronger than the refutations, and soon after became a thorough Deist. He attacked Christian principles of free will and morality in a 1725 pamphlet, A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain.
In The Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin recounts the many paramount experiences throughout his life that shaped him into great American figure he was known to be. On the opening page, Franklin reveals the book’s epistolary format by writing, “Dear Son,” going on to admit that he’s made some mistakes in the past and to recollect that past is a way to relive it. By divulging his desire to “change some sinister Accidents & Events” (Franklin 3) the author indicates how important it is for his son to observe as he amends his mistakes. Pride, virtue and vanity play a pivotal role in Benjamin Franklin’s life and the way he portrays himself to others. Instances occur where the author is shown gloating about his great accomplishments and he puts emphasis on his need to live a virtuous and morally perfect life. Throughout his story, Benjamin Franklin tells his son of his many virtuous acts and momentous achievements, motivating the question as to whether he seeks his own approval more so than the approval of his peers.
Benjamin Franklin is considered to be one of the most well-known Founding Fathers, as he helped in writing the Declaration of Independence and the very first Constitution of the United States. Who was he other than a man who fought for colonist’s rights however? Franklin was a brilliant inventor who created many innovating and life changing mechanisms, such as the world’s very first almanac, bifocals, and the lightning rod. He was also a major figure in the American Enlightenment, which restored art, science and music, spreading moral philosophy all across the colonies. Although he was never elected to the role of President of the United States, Franklin served in several other parts, such as the first postmaster general for the colonies in
"Of two things you can be certain; death and taxes," quoted Benjamin Franklin. Having a humorous outlook on life, Franklin tried to make others' lives better. Benjamin was a man who served others and tried to make the world its best until his death. Benjamin Franklin had many accomplishments. He had a busy and eventful life, he played a major role in defending his country, and he was known for his quotes. Franklin was always working to make something better.
Benjamin Franklin was a very prominent figure in shaping our nation. Many people look at him as a role model or just as an amazing individual. He had his faults just like every human being had, and he shouldn’t be discredited because of a few minor glitches to his character. As being the only person that had signed The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Treaty of Paris, this immediately separates him from all others. One of the things that he wrote about in Benjamin Franklin: The Autobiography and Other Writings, was trying to be the ideal person, and even made a list of virtues to live by. His virtues were very important to his lifestyle, and he followed them to a great extent.
A general theme in Franklin's writings is the differences between the private and public self and how the two interact. Parts One and Two of his Autobiography were written at different times and intended for different audiences. In Part One Franklin is speaking to his Son, (who was then the Governor of New Jersey) a public figure. It was started in 1771. Part Two was begun...
The basis of political views of Benjamin Franklin is the concept of the natural and inalienable rights of an individual. Franklin attributes life, liberty, and property to such natural rights. According to Benjamin Franklin, a man is simply “a tool-making animal,” a creature, whose freedom and, thus, independence is limited (Houston 45). In his Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain, Benjamin Franklin put the statement that every...