Ben Franklin

– As A Printer Essay, Research Paper

Ben Franklin – as a printer

Benjamin Franklin is unmistakably the most resplendent figure in American history. Starting out as an apprentice, Franklin was to become a renowned printer, a great statesman, and an innovator always trying to find ways to improve his community. But how could this peasant apprentice become such an influential man in a large-scale society such as Philadelphia. This was the question that baffled and worried many aristocrats of the early eighteenth century. For Franklin was to become a household name and soon an inspiration to all that sought freedom from the wont class system. Franklin symbolized the classic clich. of rags to riches vividly throughout his lifetime. His resilience and genius truly gave America a rebirth in the right direction. However, unlike many other success stories he always managed to keep his attitude in perspective and on his goals. Franklin personally attributed his success to frugality and common sense (Looby 25). Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. He was the youngest boy of a very traditional family of seventeen (Franklin 4). Franklin’s family was so set on customs that his father made him sign his life away as an indentured servant at the age of only ten (Locke 2316). Luckily for young Franklin his master was his older brother James who owned a printing press. Franklin loved the fact that he had access to books and news. As a boy with only two years of schooling, Franklin soon began to educate himself by reading and imitating different books and essays (Doren 17). While studying his English prose, Franklin came across a remarkable piece of work by John Locke entitled Essay Concerning Human Understanding. And according to biographer Carl Van Doren, “It shaped his own ideas and strengthened the values he would live by” (17). The bookish atmosphere of the printing house and the constant talk and criticism that went on among his brother’s peers, was an excellent school for his eager mind (Culver 4630). This was to be the foundation of Benjamin Franklin’s education. In 1721, Franklin’s brother decided to publish a newspaper called The New England Courant (Doreen 19). The paper was but a single sheet printed on both sides. There were already two newspapers to compete with in town, so Franklin’s brother James decided to spice up his newspaper by printing sensational controversies. So unlike the other two newspapers, The Courant was now open to the public by means of a commentary section (Meltzer 44). Many individuals in the area would drop off letters anonymously with hopes of them being published. Soon the newspaper’s commentary section was receiving a tremendous response, so young Franklin decided to get involved in this newfound public journalism. Franklin secretly wrote letters under the alias of Mrs. Dogood knowing that if his brother found out the letters would not be printed (Crane 11). He secretly slipped the first letter under the door, at the age of only sixteen. Author Verner Crane believes that this hidden secret was “Perhaps a means by which to use his pen to free himself of always being looked down upon as merely a boy and an apprentice”(10). His brother James along with the rest of the readers loved the letters. Mrs. Dogood was a delicious change from what the Bostonians were use to. Franklin put his own thoughts into her mouth and sprinkled her speech with generous quotations from Defoe and Cicero (Meltzer 46). Mrs. Dogood made fun of religious hypocrites, the town drunks, and women’s hoop petticoats (46). However, the letters also advocated political views, such as freedom of speech, insurance for widows, and asked why girls should not be educated as much as boys. Needless to say the controversies flared sales. But after a total of fourteen letters, young Franklin ran dry and confessed to his brother James. Instead of being pleased with his younger brother’s talent, James was very annoyed (47). He made it clear that he was the master, and Franklin was still his apprentice. James did not care that Franklin’s writings were attracting new customers who ordinarily did not bother to read. Young Franklin’s letters were both poetic and interesting, with excellent grammar. However none of this mattered to James, and he often beat young Franklin to get his point across. It was here that the cruel realization of servitude manifested itself to a young Benjamin Franklin. James kept writing scandalous stories and eventually ended up in jail for offending the Governor. During his time in prison, young Franklin took over the paper (Crane 11). James was getting too much heat for his writings, so he decided to break Franklin’s indenture as a cover-up. Franklin was named editor, so James could retain his freedom of speech. However a secret indenture was drawn to insure young Franklin would stay. But after their next quarrel Franklin decided to leave anyhow. He knew his brother would not dare reveal “the secret indenture” (14). After seven years of service as an apprentice Franklin finally found a clever way to escape his servitude. Out of rage, James made sure young Franklin would not find work in Boston. So Franklin had no other choice but to leave in search of a new home. After a three-day voyage, a courageous young Franklin arrived in New York. He describes himself in his autobiography as, “a boy of only seventeen, without the least recommendation to or knowledge of a