Benjamin Franklin: The later years

After running away from his life in Boston in 1723, Benjamin Franklin wandered from place to place until he finally ended up in Philadelphia. Although most of Franklin’s fame comes from when he is in Philadelphia, he is not immediately the star inventor and writer.  Much like today, “runaways did not fit in anywhere” (“A Quick Biography of Ben Franklin”). Franklin finally found work as an apprentice printer, but was stalled in his desires to own his own shop when he was sent to London to work a press. Upon returning to Philadelphia, Franklin fathered a child, William, though “the mother of William is not known” (“A Quick Biography of Ben Franklin”). After this, Franklin finally settled down with Deborah Read. To make ends meet, Franklin began to run the print shop and a book shop while his wife sold any possible product from her own store. It is after settling into this stage of his life that Franklin began to turn into the man that he is famous for being today. After buying the Pennsylvania Gazette, “the side of Franklin devoted to public good started to show itself” (“A Quick Biography of Ben Franklin”). Franklin began to rise in popularity from the newspaper and he only escalated from there. Franklin’s contributions to society included inventing such things as bifocals, electricity, lightening rod, Franklin Stove, flexible urinary catheter, and the odometer. It was not until 1757 that Franklin’s career in politics really began to take off. It was then that Franklin was sent to “represent Pennsylvania in its fight with the descendants of the Penn family over who should represent the Colony” (“A Quick Biography of Ben Franklin”). This trip almost changed the course of America as Franklin “had thoughts of staying there permanently” (“A Quick Biography of Ben Franklin”). It was not until the “Hutchinson Affair” that Franklin knew that his loyalty was with the Americans. The “Hutchinson Affair” occurred when Thomas Hutchinson, a man who seemed to represent Massachusetts while really working for the king, “called for "an abridgment of what are called English Liberties" in America” (“A Quick Biography of Ben Franklin”). When Franklin caught wind of this, he immediately sent these to the colonies and began to fight for independence upon returning to his home of Pennsylvania. It was then that Franklin began to work for the independence now seen in America and became the political figure known today.

Works Cited

 “A Quick Biography of Ben Franklin.” The Electric Ben Franklin. Ushistory.org. Web. 17 Sep. 2012

Gura, Phillip F. "American Literature 1700-1820." The Norton Anthology American Literature: Beginnings to 1820 Volume A. Ed. Nina Baym. New York: Norton, 2012. 455. Print.