Category — Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin ran away from Boston when he was seventeen years old. When he arrived in Philadelphia, he spent his last few pennies on bread. He may have started poor with no family support, but Michael Klepper and Robert Gunther include him in The Wealthy 100: From Benjamin Franklin to Bill Gates—A Ranking of the Richest Americans, Past and Present.   Read the rest of this entry »

"Ideas have consequences," Richard Weaver wrote some 70 years ago in his book urging a return to the transcendental values of Western Civilization. Especially consequential are the ideas in the preamble of the Declaration, as this essay reminds us.   Read the rest of this entry »

During the second half of the eighteenth century, the United States was blessed with numerous renaissance men and several geniuses. Benjamin Franklin was both.   Read the rest of this entry »

Larry Schweikart's What Would The Founders Say is a book we've been waiting anxiously for. The title alone was enough to pique our interest. The best-selling author of A Patriot's History of the United States, doesn't disappoint with his latest effort.   Read the rest of this entry »

This week's crossword puzzle is based on another one of Franklin's writings. His observations on taxation and charity are just as applicable today as when he wrote them in 1766. Even if you don't do the puzzle, it's worth reading.   Read the rest of this entry »

Sometimes we aren’t always highbrow! This week’s puzzle is based on Benjamin Franklin’s Famous, Advice On Choosing a Mistress. (included below) Enjoy!

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Advice

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Author Walter Isaacson's treatment of Franklin is deft, insightful, and fair. He neither engages in hagiography or revisionism. After reading this book, one gets a very good sense of Franklin's character and personality. It contains enough historical detail and explanation of the events occurring in the subject's lifetime to give meaning to his words and deeds. The incidental coverage of John Adams is especially interesting when taken in context with McCullough's biography.   Read the rest of this entry »

This essay was written by Benjamin Franklin in 1766.  The context was  the imposition of  strict regulations by the British on colonial trade, in particular farmers seemed to bear the brunt of the burden.  Here is an excerpt …

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