Franklin, Benjamin

Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) was not only a founding father of the United States and a well-known scientist, he was also eager to do something against poverty in the country he helped create. Franklin, who had to work even in his childhood, was able to attain knowledge and become a kind of autodidact, and he wanted to share this knowledge with his fellow human beings. Even though he was born into a poor family that was not able to provide him with formal education, he achieved fame as a writer and political thinker in the United States and Europe.His experience supports the argument that an individual’s will, combined with knowledge, can provide a way out of poverty.

One of 17 children, Benjamin was born in Boston. His ...