Benjamin Franklin and Me

Who was he really

    Benjamin Franklin is definitely one of the most prolific members of the Founding Fathers. He is one of the few Founding Fathers, besides George Washington, whose image is readily recognized by school children and adults alike.

     I have had the great pleasure of passing information on to students in elementary, middle, high schools and adult college courses. I have spoken to historical society's genealogical groups, library sessions, at historical reenactments and community groups.

    I portray Ben Franklin in the first person. I feel I present him as I see him. A  simple man with many layers. A wise man, with a wicked sense of humor. An intelligent man, always seeking simple solutions. His many writings have given us a picture of an incredible individual.  However, today's average person only sees him as the man who flew a kit or the man on the $100.00 dollar bill.  I would like to change that perception. 

Facts:

*Benjamin Franklin was never paid for the time he spent in France.  He submitted bills to congress in 1786 for his expenses (in the service of the congress) but was never paid.  All of his expenses in France were paid by him.  To this day these bills have never been paid.

*Father of modern dentistry.  Many tools used today are his design.

 * Developed engravings and printed money for colonies.  Put phrase "To Counterfeit is Death" on money he printed. 

 *Met his wife when he was 17.  Married her at the age of 24 and they had three children.

 *Invented the Armonica.

 *Challenged the Royal Scientific Society to develop a method of making bodily gas smell better.

 *He was the first storm chaser.  Chartering the storms in the colonies.

 *Wrote poetry. (very badly)

 *His will set up funds to help new journeymen in Boston and Philadelphia to start their own busnesses.

 *He retired from daily business at the age of 46.

 *Only Founding  Father to sign all four of our major documents that started our country.  Can you name them?

 *Franklin's Views on Virtue Comes From This Passage:

    Philippians 4:8

     Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.