Brothers Reunited: Benjamin Franklin's Motivation

Benjamin Franklin missed his birthplace, after marrying Deborah Read. So he decided to pay Boston a visit, specifically Old South Meeting House. On his way there, a little reconciliation would motivate him in his career for the rest of his life. Going to Boston, he decided to go to New Port, Rhode Island to visit his brother, James. James had previously harassed him and beaten him. He had also gone to jail before. The brothers ended their quarrel, because James was terminally ill. As he was dying, he asked Benjamin for one thing: a dying wish. He asked him to take care and shelter his 10-year old son. Franklin being interested in printing, he took him and put him in a school of printing. Franklin kept his promise and raised his brother's son, no matter what their differences were. This would be historically significant in only one way, reconciled with his brother, he had motivations to create much more and expand as one of the founding fathers of the United States of America.

Leaving London, On to Philadelphia: Franklin Hopes for Success

Benjamin Franklin arrived in Philadelphia on the 11th of October, 1726. Franklin was now to work for the merchant Thomas Denham. He worked for Denham for one year, until trouble arose all because of one man: Governor William Keith. Keith never had any explanation as to why he sent him to London, and he never gave him the right funding. He had no where near enough money for proper living. This not only crushed Franklin's hopes, but showed him what to expect later in his career. At the time, Deborah Read had given up hope that he would come back from London, and married another man that turned out to be a polygamist. Read divorced him. Coming back from England, he returned to work for Denham. Thomas Denham became like a father to Franklin. This is extremely significant in history: Denham gave Franklin lots of money, much more than his salary allowed. This would start Franklin's career later on and would kick-start his inventions. Denham died when Franklin was 21, and in his will he forgave all of the debt Franklin had due to him, and even left him bits of money. In Philadelphia, Benjamin's career would flourish. Also, he would marry his wife, Deborah Read.

Franklin in London

After King George's rule ended, chaos took over the city of London. Murder and violence filled the streets of London. Newspapers in London
exaggerated the events, since they were wildly excited because of all the press. This was at the time that Benjamin Franklin was there, with his companion James Ralph. After a little dispute with Ralph, Benjamin Franklin and James Ralph parted ways. He went to work at another famous printer's shop, Watt's. But at this time, Franklin was confused. His future puzzled him. He could have stayed in England and taught swimming, or he could have gone back to his homeland the United States. On July 2, 1726, Benjamin Franklin left London, which really was the place where his talents originated and his strength showed itself independent. Leaving London, he was headed to Philadelphia motivated for success.

Desperate: Franklin Goes to New York

His older brother James was not loving, neither was he caring. After coming out of jail, his brother was ungrateful for him and continuously harassed him. Until 1723, when Benjamin Franklin decided to runaway. What he had done was illegal, running away was a punishable crime. Therefore, he never really felt like he fit in anywhere. Desperately, he went to New York by boat looking for a job as a printer. New York did not meet his expectations. He was an unemployed criminal, with no family. Finding no work in New York, he wanted to leave. He went to New Jersey, and through a boat ride he arrived in Philadelphia. The day he arrived in New Jersey, all messy and wet, his future wife, Deborah Read, saw him. Not knowing she would marry him 7 years later, she commented on his looks saying "He's odd-looking."

Benjamin Franklin Publishes the Pennsylvania Gazette

The first copy of the Pennsylvania Gazette, published by Benjamin Franklin, came out January 2, 1750; effecting America drastically. With Franklin's great talent, the Gazette made huge profit and was a great success. Prior to buying the newspaper, he had always been in the printing industry. Therefore owning the newspaper was just another step. Franklin's style of journalism became the usual and modern way for news coverage through writing. Had he not published the Pennsylvania Gazette, writing now would have been very different. Franklin had unusual beliefs though. He believed that what went in his newspaper was the truth only, he did not believe in putting fake stories or any dishonesties in his newspaper. And when critics disliked what he wrote, he would apologize. Though, he would not change his style; it was the truth in his paper.

Benjamin Franklin goes to France

Benjamin Franklin was the first American Ambassador of France; before him, there had been no American Ambassadors. This specific advancement in his life was quite significant because he had been the first to represent America in a foreign country. At the time, England was France's competitor. They were completely different through their government and general beliefs. Franklin was in Paris as Ambassador during December, 1776. When Benjamin Franklin first got there, it had not been the glorious city it later became. Many Parisians lived in poverty and some lacked shelter. Paris was not in good shape. Normally, Franklin would have seemed like an enemy to the government. But because of his elegant and aristocratic nature, he was not a foe; the government embraced him. Thus, leading to the significance of his position at France, the Americans were allies with the French. Although, it did seem unusual for the Americans to form an alliance with France because they had been much more like the British, which as mentioned before, were the complete opposite of the French. Paris became not only an alliance, but where Benjamin Franklin lived for 9 years. Later, he would leave and return to the United States.

The Baptism: Old South Meeting House

Benjamin Franklin was baptized at the Old South Meeting House in Boston. His religion traces back to the
religions of his parents and also
explains later decisions. His
father, Josiah Franklin, converted to Puritanism during the 1670s. Puritanism was a protestant movement. This gives an idea of Benjamin Franklin's background, thus is significant to his later decisions. Part of Puritanism was for each believer to read the Bible individually. Therefore, the believe could have his own personal relationship with God. Puritanism appealed to smart, middle-class people, which clarifies why it would be in such a family of one of the founding fathers of America.

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Benjamin Franklin is Born

One of the founding fathers of America, Benjamin Franklin, was born January 17 of the year 1706, around 3 centuries ago. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, where his family lived. Josiah Franklin was his father's name. And Abiah Folger, his mother's. From the same parents, he had 7 siblings. His father had 17 children, though Benjmain Franklin was his last. During the early years of his childhood, he attended Boston Latin School though he did not graduate from there. He was later educated through excessive reading. His birth was important because Benjamin Franklin was not only a political figure, but many other things. He was a leading author, a printer, satirist, political theorist, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. Benjamin Franklin's inventions and ideas still roam the world today, and literally, light it up.