Benjamin Franklin Research Paper

Brands, H.W. The Frist American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin. New York: Broadway Doubleday, 2000.
Henry William Brands was born 7 August 1953 in Portland Oregon. Brands lived in Oregon until he went to college in California; there he attended Stanford University and studied History as well as Mathematics. After traveling the nation being a salesman, he taught History and Mathematics at both the high school and college levels for nine years. In the meantime, Brands earned his Graduate degrees in History and Mathematics, and then concluded with a Doctorate in History at the University of Texas in Austin. Afterwards he worked as an oral historian at the University of Texas Law School for only one year. Then he became a visiting
The author states Franklin had incredible self-confidence. During Franklin’s winter of 1724, now twenty-five, he started creating a new group of friends, acquaintances, and even some admirers who would boost his confidence up to new levels. Franklin’s poise had grown since his arrival in Philadelphia. Having measured himself against the printers of a second city, he appreciated his skills more than ever. With Franklin’s time there, he discovered that he could make his way in the world. His native intelligence and common sense aided him extremely well. Franklin’s confidence would prove to be a key component throughout his
Franklin was born into a poor, yet well-respected, family in Boston. Josiah Franklin and his mother, Josiah’s second wife, Abiah Folger were His parents. As Franklin grew up, he became an apprentice to his brother James Franklin. While training with James, Franklin would spend the majority of his free time with poetry and practicing Socratic argument strategies. Franklin’s self-motivation to improve his ability to argue and willingness to challenge authority would help characterize him to mold America today. James’ overbearing personality proved too much for Franklin, and he ran away to his new home in Philadelphia. There Franklin found work as a printer. Making enough money Franklin went to London, where he met a merchant named Thomas Denham; who would become a farther figure to him. The two would eventually open a merchant business together. In 1727 Thomas died; his death freed Franklin of his debt, but left him without a business partner. This situation showed Franklin’s ideas of virtue are necessary, and make the best of a bad life situation. In 1727 Franklin created the intellectual group The Junto. Junto was a group of men who would discuss politics, religions, and philosophical questions. Franklin himself was not a believer of organized religion; instead he believed good work and morals was ahead of any religion. In 1730 he met and then