The Influence Writings of Benjamin Franklin
The Influence Writings of Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin is one of the best-known figures in American history. His industrious rise to success, his role in this country's struggle for independence, and his investigations into the mysteries of electricity are among his famous accomplishments. Yet, his fame is due not only to these achievements but also to his remarkable ability to communicate his views and ideas effectively. A self-taught writer, Franklin immortalized himself with his book on electricity, his world-famous Autobiography and his role in drafting the Declaration of Independence. While Benjamin Franklin's contributions to many areas of American and international life, including science, politics, and social reform, are in themselves extraordinary; his writings are the key to his widespread and lasting influence. A large part of Benjamin Franklin's reputation rests upon his scientific writings. Eighteenth-century science was not divided into different specialized fields such as physics, geology, biology, and chemistry. Instead, there was only one broad area of study known as natural philosophy. Franklin, a brilliant natural philosopher, wrote about a wide range of scientific subjects, from mete
Beyond Franklin's own life, the writing of this "quintessentially American" genius has helped to shape ideals, standers, and traditions in almost every sphere of American society (Goodwin). Benjamin Franklin himself recognized the importance of his writings: "Prose writing has been of great use to me in the course of my life and was a principal means of my advancement" (Fleming 7). In France, he began a letter- and essay- writing campaign to gain French support for the American colonies' cause (Fleming 287). His studies gave scientific credibility to the field of electrostatics (the study of electric charges), influencing renowned scientists such as Count Alessandro Volta and Henry Cavendish and setting the course for all future development in the field (Crane 52). In addition to his political activities, Franklin was greatly concerned with improving American social conditions. As a firm supporter of colonial unity, Franklin offered sound, well-thought-out suggestions. Franklin achieved even greater fame as a scientist through his personal correspondence with scientists across North American and Europe. Franklin's writings were also instrumental in laying the foundations of the United States government. It also occupies a prominent place in American literary history in a different sense. During this time, he wrote letters and articles that were printed in British newspapers, explaining the position of the American people as they sought to avoid the taxes being imposed on them (Fleming 196). Franklin's writings also played an important part in the political evolution of the United States. "The Way to Wealth," a collection of more than a hundred proverbs taken from Poor Richard's Almanac made Franklin's name synonymous with saving (Baida 100). He became extremely popular with the French people, "lionized and idolized as the great natural philosopher, the august champion of liberty, and the friend of humanity" (Trent 100). Franklin once stated that he considered Poor Richard's Almanac a "proper vehicle for conveying instruction among the common people, who bought scarcely any other books" (148). Franklin's most famous work, his Autobiography, has played a significant role in American literary history.
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