Contributions of Benjamin Franklin Essay Example

Benjamin was a very smart man. He knew how to dress, talk, and be successful. From a young age, he made many contributions. He had a notorious life and was a great man. Most of Franklin's major contributions came later in his life. He wanted to keep a name for himself for a very long time after his death and that’s exactly what he did. From a young age, he had a spark like no other child and he used this to become the man that is talked about today. His influence on others and the way he presented himself got him to the place that he is at. Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography: the story of a successful social Animal states that “Franklin is a highly effective social animal. He deploys the principle of reciprocal altruism with intuitive insight and practiced skill” (Saunders 1). This book states how mentally strong he was and he knew how to talk to others. As a political figure, there needs to be a strong mentality and knowledge on how to talk to people. When Franklin was young, he was always dreaming bigger and defying odds. The Norton Anthology of America states that “Franklin trusted in the wrong person, the governor of Pennsylvania at the time and the man sent him to London” (440) After he came back from London he used his experience and wrote while he was there. He came back a smart man and used it to develop into a businessman. “Franklin also had an uncanny instinct for success and knew that commercialism demanded that anyone in business assume a public persona (440) This could be the beginning of how Franklin contributed to American life. He knew how to dress and be a part of a successful businessman. Benjamin was the type of man to learn how to do the right things to have a better eye on the country. He always knew where to put himself and stay in a good position.  Franklin over time had a lot of things going on with his personal life, Benjamin Franklin and the American Enlightenment is stating that “Yet we must not, in our urge to free franklin from the baggage associated with his image as “Typical American,” divorce him entirely from his American upbringing and experience” (Beeman 148). Franklin also had children out of wedlock which keeps him an ideal American but he tries to not stigmatize this. He wanted to be able to not have the bad wrap around having children out of wedlock. Even in today's society, this is still an issue that we face.  He uses Polly Baker as a reason to start what the text says as “Men should share equal blame with women” (440-441). Franklin wanted to have a new way of thinking when it came to sexual norms. Although in most of his biography he seems to be a good man he becomes rich and goes after his endeavors.  “His enquiring mind was challenged most by the mechanics of the world’s seemingly ordinary phenomena, and he was convinced that his mind’s rational powers could solve riddles that had puzzled humankind for centuries”.  (441) He was constantly using his brain to solve issues and create world-changing inventions. He also used his brain to show people that they can change, and you don’t have to live by your sins.  Benjamin Franklin and the American Enlightenment states that “The scholarly literature on Franklin's contributions to our unde4rstanding of both the scientific properties and practical uses of electricity does confirm his claim to lasting importance in the history of science. (Beeman 147).  This is one of Franklin's many contributions but electricity is one of the tops most known contributions. Benjamin Franklin and the American Enlightenment agrees that “In turning Franklin into a caricature, we obscure the substance of his contributions to what historians have termed “The Age of Enlightenment”, Which was in reality not so much as an age as an “impulse” fueled by a heightened sense of optimism about the ability of men and women to use their rational powers not only to understand the laws of the universe but also to devise means to use those laws for the betterment of humanity (Beeman 148). Franklin was a man that constantly wanted the world to evolve. To evolve these things could have been through physical things or mental capacity. Throughout time it was known that Franklin wanted more for the country and the keep pushing science and literature.  He also as a public figure “He was a born diplomat – detached, adaptable, witty, urbane, charming, and clever – and of the slightly more than forty years left to him after his retirement more than half were spent abroad in 1757, he went to England to represent the colonies and he stayed for five years. (441). Franklin knew how to act in the public eye and knew what was best for the country. Because he was so well-spoken, he was able to do many different things.  The Norton Anthology of American literature also states that “I think you may like to know something of his person and character. He had an excellent constitution of the body, was of middle stature, but well set and very strong” (472) This adds to how much of a contribution he had when physical things were happening. But when he was talking with people, he always knew what to say and how to make others feel comfortable. From what I remember his character ad judgment was one of his best attributes. I believe this is one of the ways he got so far in life. Franklin also came out with a book called “Art of Virtue and he says “But it so happened that my Intention of writing and publishing this comment was never fulfilled. I did indeed, from the time to time put down short hints of the sentiments, reasonings, etc., to be made use of it; some of which I still have by me but necessary close attention to private business in the earlier part of life, and public business since have occasioned my postponing it” (529,  Franklin). Franklin seemed to always have a plan and to this, he still became successful in his literary work. It pushed him to become more intelligent and work towards certain goals even when things come in the way of his work. Franklin also had a lot of pride but how he dealt with it was key to being successful. “In reality, there is perhaps no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify as much as one pleases, it is alive and we will now and then peep out and show itself” (Franklin 530) He also had his flaws sometimes, as being a well-known man there are times where pride can take over after having many accomplishments. HE shows her4e how sometimes it can get the best of you. One of his accomplishments was in 1737, “my first promotion was my being chosen in 1736 clerk of the general assembly” (Franklin 536) He used this accomplishment to keep his intentions for his business alive. After this promotion, he started to start thinking about his public eye and who was watching him. He constantly was working for the newspaper. Most of his life's work came from the newspapers. This is where his broth4r started and I believe this is where he got his drive for success. After being on the assembly he stayed a political figure. He used his success in ways of people’s lives, buildings, and books. He was a very observant man and knew just how to get people to do the right things. Franklin saw and did a lot of things throughout his life. He was the beginning of more sophisticated engineering. He had made many inventions that have turned into the last history that many might not see and understand who started this.  He invented many different things that contributed to life today and because of these inventions, we have a stronger science background.  In conclusion, Benjamin Franklin had a long life with many accomplishments. He used his voice to help people including women and human rights. He used his public figure to help write the US constitution which is of his many physical contributions. Something that has a deeper meaning could be what Benjamin Franklin means, he was truly a rag to riches story. More people should read about him and understand what Franklin did for this country. There are so many under the surface things that he did to help this nation grow. He succeeded in the history books as a public figure that people will never forget. Benjamin Franklin contributed to physical things but also taught people about how to live a successful life. Benjamin succeeded in his role of wanting to be known forever and because of his contributions, he will forever be in textbooks around the United States and around the world.