The Mentor: Benjamin Franklin, Vol. 6, Num. 7, Serial No. 155, May 15, 1918

In Short

This issue of a popular educational series presents a concise biographical study of Benjamin Franklin, tracing his rise from a candle maker’s apprentice with two years of formal schooling to an internationally renowned scientist, author, and diplomat. Written during World War I, the text examines Franklin’s foundational contributions to American civic life, his revolutionary diplomatic missions in France, and his seminal contributions to science and constitutional government. It endures as a vivid portrait of how Franklin’s genial personality, pragmatic philosophy, and tireless industry helped shape the character, institutions, and independence of the early United States.

The Story

The narrative opens with Franklin’s early childhood in Boston as the son of Josiah Franklin, a candle maker. Though initially destined for the ministry, young Benjamin receives only two years of formal schooling before entering his father’s shop and subsequently serving an apprenticeship under his brother James, a printer. Through rigorous self-education, including meticulous study of Joseph Addison’s writings, Franklin equips himself to become a skilled printer, journalist, and essayist. Moving to Philadelphia, he establishes The Pennsylvania Gazette in 1729 and launches Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1732. These publications introduce his pragmatic moral philosophy to a growing colonial audience, instilling a shared national spirit.

As his material success grows, Franklin turns his energy toward civic improvement and institution building. He organizes Philadelphia's first police and fire companies, establishes the Junto debating club, improves street paving and lighting, founds a city hospital, and helps establish an academy that eventually becomes the University of Pennsylvania. His public career expands as he becomes postmaster of Philadelphia and a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. During the conflicts with France, he manages military preparations, negotiates with cautious Quakers, supplies transport wagons for General Braddock, and constructs frontier blockhouses.

In 1754, Franklin takes a prominent role at the Albany Congress, drafting an early plan for a federal union of the colonies. By 1757, he is sent to England to represent the Pennsylvania Assembly, where he defends colonial interests and argues forcefully before the House of Commons against the Stamp Act. Returning to America in 1775 as tensions boil over, Franklin immediately joins the Continental Congress, serves on the Committee of Safety, and helps draft the Declaration of Independence.

The narrative shifts to his critical wartime mission in France beginning in late 1776. As an envoy, Franklin manages finances, naval affairs, and diplomacy, using his scientific prestige and personal charm to secure essential French alliances and negotiate the final peace treaty with Great Britain. Returning home in his late seventies, he serves as president of Pennsylvania and participates in the 1787 Federal Convention, offering key compromises to shape the new United States Constitution before his long life comes to a peaceful close.

How It Unfolds

A self-taught printer builds a career Benjamin Franklin leaves formal schooling at ten, apprentices in a print shop, and systematically educates himself by reading classic literature and analyzing prose style. Moving to Philadelphia, he establishes his own press, launches The Pennsylvania Gazette, and crafts the widely popular Poor Richard's Almanac.

Civic leader transforms Philadelphia Achieving financial independence, Franklin turns his boundless energy toward public improvements. He founds a debating society, creates police and fire services, establishes a public hospital, and raises funds to build an academy that grows into the University of Pennsylvania.

Colonial statesman confronts the Crown Entering public office as clerk and legislator, Franklin proposes a unified colonial government at the 1754 Albany Congress. Sent to England as a provincial agent, he defends American rights before the House of Commons and forewarns British authorities against enforcing taxes by military force.

Diplomat secures American independence Returning to Philadelphia in 1775, Franklin aids in drafting the Declaration of Independence before traveling to Paris as an envoy. He secures vital French military alliances, manages complex commercial and diplomatic affairs, and helps negotiate the 1782 treaty ending the Revolutionary War.

Elder statesman frames the Republic Returning to America at seventy-nine, Franklin assumes the presidency of Pennsylvania and joins the 1787 Federal Convention. He provides crucial steadying influence, humor, and compromise strategies to ensure the adoption of the new national Constitution.

The People

• Benjamin Franklin: The central figure who transforms himself from an unschooled printer's apprentice into a celebrated world figure. He desires practical progress, scientific understanding, and political liberty. Faced with political resistance and British imperial overreach, he uses shrewd humor, pragmatic diplomacy, and tireless work to secure American independence and establish lasting civic institutions.
• Josiah Franklin: Benjamin’s father, a Boston candle maker of modest means. He initially intends his son for the ministry and sends him to grammar school, but financial constraints force him to pull Benjamin out after two years to work in his shop.
• James Franklin: Benjamin’s older brother, a printer to whom young Benjamin is bound as an apprentice. He provides the initial setting for Benjamin’s early writing and typesetting experience, launching his lifelong connection to journalism.
• Quaker Assemblymen: Pennsylvania legislators whose pacifist principles prevent them from directly funding military operations. Their religious objections force Franklin to devise clever administrative workarounds, such as appropriating funds for "bread, flour, wheat or other grain" to subtly purchase gunpowder.

In Its Own Voice

"When I was a child seven years old, my friends, on a holiday, filled my pocket with coppers."

Franklin recalls the childhood purchase of a simple toy, an experience that taught him a lifelong lesson against overpaying for temporary pleasures or vanity.

"I thought I might possibly in time come to be a tolerable English writer, of which I was extremely ambitious."

Reflecting on his youthful self-education, Franklin describes his deliberate efforts to study classical prose and develop a persuasive literary style.

"They will not find a rebellion; they will indeed make one."

Testifying before the British House of Commons, Franklin warns imperial officials about the inevitable consequences of using military force to collect the Stamp Act taxes.

What It's Really About

This work explores the realization of human potential through self-discipline, practical reason, and dedicated public service. It demonstrates how an individual can overcome limited formal education to master science, literature, and governance. At its core, the text argues that true civic virtue lies not in abstract theory, but in tangible actions that improve daily life—from street lighting to constitutional design. Franklin embodies the Enlightenment belief that reason, humor, and pragmatism can harmonize competing interests, bridge social divides, and build a free, self-governing society.

Why Read It Today

This text appeals to readers who enjoy concise historical biography, American Revolutionary history, and the origins of pragmatic philosophy. Written in a clear, accessible tone, it distills a monumental life into an engaging narrative that moves briskly through key historical events. Readers experience Franklin not as a distant, legendary figure, but as an energetic, witty individual who balanced heavy diplomatic responsibilities with scientific curiosity and social warmness.

The brevity of the text means it functions more as an introductory survey than an exhaustive biography. However, it successfully captures the charm and breadth of Franklin’s career without getting bogged down in academic jargon. What lingers with the reader is the image of an extraordinary mind driven by a lifelong desire to learn, build, and serve—a compelling reminder of how individual initiative and civic dedication helped shape modern democratic culture.