Franklin, Benjamin (1706–90)

YOUNGEST OF 17 CHILDREN, four of whom died at birth, Benjamin Franklin described his childhood as one of poverty and obscurity. His father worked as a candlemaker and was unable to amass any degree of wealth. At age 10 Franklin was taken out of school to assist his father in the candlemaking craft, an occupation that he disliked. When he was 12, Franklin went to work for his brother, who owned a printing business. Within a few years, unable to tolerate this position, he moved to Philadelphia and found work in the printing business. Following a brief junket to London and work as a typesetter, Franklin was brought back to Philadelphia by a wealthy merchant to work as his personal assistant.

In this position, Franklin made the acquaintance of many influential Philadelphians and in time established his own publishing business. One of the ongoing publications in this business was The Pennsylvania Gazette, a newspaper to which he contributed articles and essays.

In 1732, Franklin began one of his most famous publications, Poor Richard's Almanac, a series of essays complete with clipped sayings intended to guide people in their daily lives. Franklin continued to publish the Almanac for the next 25 years, which brought him recognition and fame throughout the colonies and Europe. The Almanac contained innumerable references to the woes of poverty and anecdotes on how to achieve the better life. For example, the 1733 edition includes a saying describing one aspect of poverty, “Light purse, [Page 396]heavy heart,” and another one suggestive of the mindset of someone without food, “Hunger never saw bad bread.” Franklin cautions the laggard that “laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him.”

Benjamin Franklin grew up in poverty and had sage advice for his fellow countrymen on the perils of laziness and lack of ambition.

In the same vein, Franklin contends that “at the working man's house hunger looks in, but dares not enter,” a good example of his basic premise that the industrious individual will succeed. But be aware of the proper attitude, Franklin instructed, and that is clear in this statement: “Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, and supped with infamy.” Franklin insisted that people choose for themselves their own direction in life and emphasized self-determination in this process. However, he cautions the reader that a proper self-image is essential: “A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.”

Perhaps this saying from the Almanac speaks most to Franklin's own experiences in life: “Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is.” From his humble beginnings, Franklin achieved stature as a writer, scientist, politician, and successful businessman. His scientific discoveries gained him recognition among the leading scientists in Europe. He founded the American Philosophical Society and a school he started eventually became the University of Pennsylvania. Franklin was instrumental in reforming the domestic postal system and he represented the colonies in dealings with England. He was an outspoken opponent of the British Stamp Act and worked to have it repealed. Franklin traveled widely in France from 1767 to 1775, during which he made important contacts with influential business and governmental leaders. His fame and stature were instrumental in gathering financial and military support from the French in the colonies’ struggle against the British.

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