In: Economics
The human dimension of the account is the thing that makes Franklin's Autobiography distinct from any other life story of a great and prosperous man. As he himself says, Franklin told the story of his life in favor of his posterity. By the relationship of his own rise from obscurity and poverty to eminence and riches he decided to support them. He is not unaware of the significance and appreciation of his public works, but his accounts of these accomplishments are given only as part of the narrative, and the pride shown is incidental and in accordance with the recital 's authenticity. In Franklin 's theory and action there is none of the unthinkable when he sets them out.
Benjamin Franklin 's life is of significance to any American, primarily because of the role he played in securing and maintaining the independence of the United States as a republic. Franklin shares the honors of the Revolution with Washington, and the events leading to the birth of a new country. Though Washington was the animating force of the colonial struggle, Franklin was its most abject champion abroad. To Franklin's cogent logic and a sharp humor, we owe the straightforward and robust presentation of the American case in England and France; while we owe the international alliance and the funds to his personality and diplomacy as well as his simple pen
His patience, strength, and practical wisdom, coupled with self-sacrificing devotion to his country's cause, are hardly any less noticeable than the similar qualities Washington displays. In fact, as a public man, Franklin was much like Washington, especially in his entire public service disinterestedness. Franklin is also important to us as he has done more to promote the material welfare of his countrymen through his life and teachings than any other American. His widely and faithfully read maxims are said to have made Philadelphia and Pennsylvania wealthy, while the pithy sayings of Poor Richard, translated into many languages, have had a worldwide influence
However, Franklin 's fame was not limited to his own country. While he lived in a century notable for the rapid advancement of science and political thought and action, and no less a keen judge and critic than Lord Jeffrey, the renowned editor of the Edinburgh Review said a century ago that "in one way, Franklin 's name must be regarded higher than any of the others that represented the eighteenth century.
Indeed, Franklin was appropriately called "multi-sided." He was excellent in science and public service, diplomacy and literature. He was the Edison of his day, using his scientific discoveries to his fellow-men 's benefit. He perceived the lightning and electricity identity, and set up the lightning rod. Still widely used, he invented the Franklin stove and declined to patent it. In business and practical matters he possessed a masterly shrewdness. Carlyle called him All the Yankees' dad. He formed a fire service, helped establish a hospital and improved street cleaning and lighting.
Franklin more closely resembles the earlier community of writers in the simplicity and vigor of his writing. He was no weaker imitator of Addison in his first essays. He had shown the influence of Bunyan in his various parables, philosophical allegories, and apologies. Still, basically, Franklin was a journalist. He is most like Defoe in his swift, terse style, who was the first great English journalist and newspaper storyteller master. Both writers' styles are characterized by a homely, vigorous expression, satire, burlesque, repartee. The comparison must end here. Defoe had been writers with his contemporaries.
Their vocation was to write and the imaginative or creative power they displayed rests on their success. Franklin laid no claim to authorship. He wrote no creative work. In certain ways he only naturally established a style as impressive as that of his English contemporaries. He wrote the best autobiography in nature, one of the most widely known collections of maxims, and an extraordinary sequence of political and social satires, for he was a man of exceptional power and usability, who knew how to teach his fellow men the secrets of that power and usefulness.