5.5 Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 to a candle maker. Despising his father's work, Franklin was then apprenticed to his brothers' printing press. This in fact was his true calling. By the age of sixteen he ran the pres himself and had already inconspicuously gotten one of his writings published. This work done by "Mrs. Dogood", displayed a sense of humor and understanding of politics uncommon for a boy his age. Mrs. Dogood also displayed the tyranny in America. "She" wrote of the importance of separation of church and state. After Mrs. Dogood came the Poor Richard Saunders. Franklin poked fun at himself and even pulled great hoaxes which one involved his enemy writer of being dead. The Poor Richards Almanac is still an important work in today's time. Franklin protested for free speech. Arguing that every ones opinions should be printed in the paper and not just what the editors wanted. His ideas of foreign policy contained both idealism and realism and understood that compromise must be accomplished for things to work out in the government. He is said to be the most remarkable founding father with a long line of inventions. He provided us with the notion of electricity, glasses, studied the common cold, founded the ideas of a library, and even volunteer fire fighters. Franklin was in fact the best scientist, inventor, diplomat, humorist, and business man of his times. His knowledge has brought us to where we are today, making him for me, the most influential person of his time. "...most responsible, of all the Founders, for instilling in the nation the virtue that is central to it's role in the world struggle..." (Time Magazine.)