Ben Franklin---a man of character, achievements, and legacy

by Lynn E. Marcks

Ben Franklin was known as a scientist, inventor, printer, author, diplomat, philanthropist, and an entrepreneur. On January 17, 2006, the world celebrates the 300th birthday of Benjamin Franklin. The center piece of the 300th birthday celebration is the world premiere of an exhibit titled “Benjamin Franklin:  In Search of a Better World.”  The exhibit will be displayed to the public from 2006-2008 in the cities of Philadelphia, St. Louis, Houston, Denver, Atlanta, and Paris.

Ben Franklin is a man remembered for his character, his achievements, and his legacy. Franklin learned at an early age that hard work, thrift, perseverance, integrity, and self-discipline were important values. He was an avid reader and writer and continued his love of learning throughout his lifetime. He continued his drive for self-improvement always doing his best work.  Franklin was known for sharing his thoughts, ideas, observations, and inventions with others.

What were some of Franklin’s achievements?

• 1750 Designs the lightning rod to divert lightning from buildings during thunderstorms
• 1752  Performs legendary kite and key experiment, confirming his theory that electricity existed in thunderclouds in the form of lightning
• 1754  Publishes in The Pennsylvania Gazette the “Join or Die” cartoon, America’s first symbol of the united colonies
• 1766  Elected to Royal Society of Sciences
• 1722  Begins writing series of letters under the pseudonym, “Silence Dogood”
• 1727  Forms the Junto, a club for “self-improvement, study, mutual aid, and conviviality”
• 1731   Establishes the Library Company of Philadelphia, the first lending library in America
• 1732  Issues the first edition of Poor Richard’s Almanack, an instant best seller that became the most popular almanac in the colonies
• 1736  Helps found the Union Fire Company which organizes and trains teams of firemen
• 1771   Begins writing his Autobiography
• 1776  Serves on the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence
• 1778  Helps negotiate and signs the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between America and France, securing critical support from the French in the forms of loans, military supplies and troops
• 1787  Elected president of Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery.  Serves as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention
• 1790  Dies on April 17, 1790, at the age of eighty-four

Parents and children together can celebrate Franklin’s 300th birthday by participating in activities that support some of Franklin’s guiding principles:  discipline, drive, and a belief in working together. Parents influence the character of a child by the way they talk; the behavior they model; the conduct they tolerate; and the expectations and goals they portray. The most powerful thing parents can do is to love their children and spend time together with them. Here are some ideas from the Ben Franklin website (www.benfranklin300.org) that parents and children can do together to celebrate Ben Franklin’s character, achievements, and legacy.

• Franklin developed many practical and useful ideas.  Some ideas ended up as inventions and some ideas produced something new and useful for his community.  If you and your child could give awards to Franklin for some of his great ideas, what would they be?  Here are some award ideas: 1)  Best Idea for My House Award  2)  Best Idea for Peace Award and 3)  Best Idea for Bookworms Award.  (for elementary school aged children)

• Franklin had many achievements in his lifetime.  Together with your child, illustrate some achievements your family has made.  Put these pages in a booklet form. (for elementary school aged children)

• If Franklin were living with us today, how would he spend his day? Talk with your child about how character traits and personal goals may influence how individuals spend time on a given day. Then, develop a one page planner showing Ben Franklin’s modern day schedule. (for elementary school aged children)

• Name at least five words that describe Franklin’s character.  Talk with your child about these character traits.  Then, write a short poem or paragraph using these character traits to tell about Franklin’s character. (for middle school aged children)

• Franklin’s concern for community not only made him a model citizen, but also allowed him to contribute to the well-being of all colonial Americans.  With your child, create a collage that exhibits ideas for improving your school or community. Use recycled items such as magazines, buttons, pipe cleaners, small boxes, and tissue paper. (for middle school aged children)

• Engage in scenarios with your child.  For example: Today Benjamin Franklin would be elected mayor of our town because____________.  Today Benjamin Franklin would be hired by NASA to manage a mission to Mars because___________________________. Today Benjamin Franklin’s face would appear on the cover of Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” issue because____________________________.  (for middle school aged children)

• In conversation, ask your child to speculate what Franklin might think, say, and do about one of the following 21st century items: the internet; cellular phones; U.S. government and politics; the war in Iraq; NASA and space exploration; and the Olympic Games. (for high school aged children)

• Who is your modern-day Benjamin Franklin? Writers focus on who they think carries on Benjamin Franklin’s efforts to make the world a better place in the 21st century.  It can be someone the writer knows--a family member, friend, teacher, or someone they know of such as a musician, community or state leader, or humanitarian. 

This article may be reproduced and distributed by educational and / or nonprofit organizations as long as credit is given to Lynn E. Marcks, nIc Foundation, Inc., Clintonville, Wisconsin.  January, 2006 publication.