Founding Father Research Report

Choose one Founding Father to research more thoroughly. Look for information about the man’s family background and early life, his vocation or career, and life events that seem significant. List or summarize that basic information below.

Founding Father: Benjamin Franklin

Family Background: Benjamin Franklin was born on 17th January 1706 in Boston, British America, to Josiah Franklin (1657-1745), an Englishman, and Abiah Folger (1667-1752), an American. He was the 15th child in the Franklin family. Josiah worked as a candlemaker and soaper, while Abiah contributed to the family business. Their financial circumstances were modest, and as a result, Benjamin Franklin received limited formal education.

Early Life: Growing up near the River Charles in Boston, Franklin remembered himself as "usually the leader among the boys." Although his parents desired him to study and pursue a career as a clergyman, his formal schooling ended at the age of 10. He subsequently worked for his father, and at 12 years old, he joined his brother James Franklin in the printing trade. James established The New England Courant, the third newspaper ever founded in Boston, when Benjamin was 15. Franklin’s skills in writing and his wit and willingness to uphold his beliefs would be displayed during his time working for his brother. When his brother denied him the opportunity to publish a letter in the paper, Franklin persisted and submitted the writings under the pseudonym of a middle-aged widow named "Silence Dogood." These letters were published weekly in the Courant, sparking discussions and amusement throughout the colony. Franklin's disguise was so convincing that upon learning the persona was fictional, some men even wrote letters proposing marriage to the character. When his brother was imprisoned for three weeks due to unfavorable comments about the town's governor, Franklin assumed control of the newspaper, using his alter ego to advocate for freedom of speech. However, without his brother's consent, Franklin eventually left the job and embarked on a journey to Philadelphia, seeking a fresh start in a new city.

Vocation or Career:

Printer, Author, and Publisher

Inventor and Scientist

Statesman and Diplomat

Entreprenuer (He helped founded the Library Company of Philadelphia, the first circulating library in the states).

Sources

Wikipedia Contributors. “Benjamin Franklin.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin. Accessed 20 June 2023.

---. “Silence Dogood.” Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silence_Dogood. Accessed 20 June 2023.

Now find at least one text that was created by the Founding Father you chose. The text can be a letter, speech, essay, article, pamphlet, foundational document (such as the Declaration of Independence or the U.S. Constitution) or journal/diary entry. Identify the text below, summarize it, and explain what the text reveals about the Founding Father who authored it.

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The chosen text is a letter penned by Benjamin Franklin, using the alias "Silence Dogood," and published in the 49th edition of the New-England Courant, his brother's newspaper.

Franklin wrote and published this letter when his brother was imprisoned by the governor of Boston for printing content that displeased the governor. In the letter, Benjamin Franklin highlights the importance of free speech as a foundation for wisdom and public liberty. He argues that free speech benefits just rulers in their governance. If one were truly just and has nothing to hide, then free speech should be his friend, not ally.

The text reveals Benjamin Franklin's recognition of free speech as an inherent human right that should not be infringed upon. He believed that it acted as a safeguard against government abuse of power and was crucial for fostering a thriving society. Furthermore, the letter showcases Franklin's audacity and unwavering commitment to defending truth and righteousness, even in the face of potential repercussions.

In a paragraph or two, summarize this Founding Father’s philosophies or political ideas, such as his position on Federalism (the strength of the federal government), slavery, or the individual rights of citizens.

Benjamin Franklin, a prominent leader who championed classical American ideals, fervently advocated for the rights and freedoms of citizens across all aspects of life. He firmly believed in the individual's ability to peacefully protest, voice concerns, and practice their chosen religion without oppression from authorities. In the realm of justice, Franklin upheld the principles of innocence until proven guilty and the importance of due process of law. These principles also extended to the economic domain, as he ardently supported free trade and private property, striving to establish an economic system that allowed individuals to pursue their interests without government interference. Franklin perceived these rights and freedoms as the fundamental pillars of a just, prosperous, and free society, which is why he endorsed the famous lines "[a]ll men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" in the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.

In contrast to some of his fellow founding fathers, such as Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, Benjamin Franklin held a strong belief in a robust and influential federal government. He recognized the inadequacy of a weak federal government, as demonstrated during the period under the Articles of Confederation. However, Franklin maintained a balanced perspective, acknowledging the need to prevent the federal government from encroaching upon the rights of individual states. Consequently, he advocated for checks and balances to ensure the preservation of state autonomy. Franklin's stance on slavery was more complex than his other views. While he himself owned slaves and participated in the slave trade, his perspective evolved over time due to the influence of vocal activists like John Woolman and Anthony Benezet. Franklin's transformative moment occurred after his third visit to London (1764-1775), where he witnessed the landmark case of Somerset v. Stewart. The court's ruling against the concept of enslavement in England deeply impacted Franklin, prompting him to anonymously oppose slavery for the first time through his writings. As he grew older, Franklin became an ardent opponent of slavery, publicly condemning the institution. At the age of 81, he assumed the presidency of the Abolitionist Society and signed a public anti-slavery appeal. Franklin continued his advocacy through various essays, culminating in a petition to Congress urging the abolition of slavery and the slave trade, which became his final public act.

Finally, choose one of the forms below to share what you have learned about the Founding Father you chose as the subject of your research.

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Blue and Red Political Election Poster.jpg

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I’ve chosen to create a campaign poster that could have been distributed among colonial citizens in support of the Founding Father’s run for office. The central slogan, "Vote for Franklin, Vote for Freedom," captures the essence of his staunch advocacy for American ideals. In the slogan, Franklin's views on federalism were intentionally omitted, given the controversial nature of these topics. As Franklin did not publicly express his stance on slavery until later in life, and considering the sensitive climate surrounding the issue in the colonies, it is unlikely that he would incorporate it into his slogan.

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