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Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin FRS FRSA FRSE (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705][Note 1] – April 17, 1790) was a British American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the Benjamin Franklin United States. Franklin was a leading writer, printer, political philosopher, politician, FRS, FRSA, FRSE Freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions.[1] He founded many civic organizations, including the Library Company, Philadelphia's first fire department,[2] and the University of Pennsylvania.[3] Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity, initially as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies. As the first United States ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation.[4] Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self- governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its Benjamin Franklin by Joseph defects, the illumination -
Benjamin Franklin 1 Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin 1 Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin 6th President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania In office October 18, 1785 – December 1, 1788 Preceded by John Dickinson Succeeded by Thomas Mifflin 23rd Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly In office 1765–1765 Preceded by Isaac Norris Succeeded by Isaac Norris United States Minister to France In office 1778–1785 Appointed by Congress of the Confederation Preceded by New office Succeeded by Thomas Jefferson United States Minister to Sweden In office 1782–1783 Appointed by Congress of the Confederation Preceded by New office Succeeded by Jonathan Russell 1st United States Postmaster General In office 1775–1776 Appointed by Continental Congress Preceded by New office Succeeded by Richard Bache Personal details Benjamin Franklin 2 Born January 17, 1706 Boston, Massachusetts Bay Died April 17, 1790 (aged 84) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Nationality American Political party None Spouse(s) Deborah Read Children William Franklin Francis Folger Franklin Sarah Franklin Bache Profession Scientist Writer Politician Signature [1] Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705 ] – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He invented the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, a carriage odometer, and the glass 'armonica'. He formed both the first public lending library in America and the first fire department in Pennsylvania. -
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: in Search of a Better World
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: In Search of a Better World TEACHER’S GUIDE d Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Teacher’sGrand Activity Rapids, MI Guide Benjamin Franklin: In Search ofSeptember a Better 2, 2011 World – January Teacher’s 8, 2012 Activity Guid The exhibit and print materials are made possible locally by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, BenGeraldj R.amin Ford Presidential F Museum,ranklin: and the National In Archives S and Recordsearch Administration. of a Better World COVER: Portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Michael Deas LEFT: From The Whistle, produced by a More Perfect-Union for the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary exhibition, with detail from portrait of Francis Folger Franklin attributed to Samuel Johnson; Private Collection. TEACHER’S GUIDE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: In Search of a Better World CREATED BY: The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary WRITTEN BY: Dana Devon Leslie Hubbard Allison McBride The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Teacher’s Guide was made possible by the generous support of the John Templeton Foundation and The Barra Foundation, Inc. ©2005 THE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TERCENTENARY www.benfranklin300.org Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World This engaging and memorable exhibition conveys the original genius, wit and imagination of Benjamin Franklin. Through a series of interactive multimedia exhibits combined with the largest collection of original Franklin materials ever assembled, Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World brings our most remarkable Founding -
Benjamin Franklin Booth Library
Eastern Illinois University The Keep Booth Library Programs Conferences, Events and Exhibits 2011 Benjamin Franklin Booth Library Follow this and additional works at: http://thekeep.eiu.edu/booth_library_programs Recommended Citation Booth Library, "Benjamin Franklin" (2011). Booth Library Programs. 6. http://thekeep.eiu.edu/booth_library_programs/6 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Conferences, Events and Exhibits at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion in Booth Library Programs by an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact [email protected]. B F Benjamin Franklin in search of a better world Being the Full and Complete Programme for the Celebrated Exhibit Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World Organized by the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, Philadelphia, and the American Library AËociation Public Programs OÂce. The traveling exhibition for libraries has been made poËible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: great ideas brought to life. Held at the B OOTH LiBrAry OF EAsTErN iLLiNOis UNivErsiTy in the year 2011 From January 12 to February 25 Wherein is Contained a Listing of the Events and Divers Activities Çcheduled to take place for the duration of the Exhibit in the Library and all Other Places. Table of Contents Welcome ................................................................. 3 Almanack of Events ............................................. 4 Opening reception .............................................. 6 Program Descriptions .......................................... 8 related Exhibits at Booth Library ................... 20 Curator Biographies .............................................28 resources ................................................................30 Credits ....................................................................36 2 Message of Welcome Dear Friends, We extend our warmest welcome to you and hope you join us in celebrating the spirit of innovation and public service embodied by Benjamin Franklin. -
Franklin: the Autobiography and Other Writings on Politics, Economics, and Virtue Edited by Alan Houston Frontmatter More Information
Cambridge University Press 0521542650 - Franklin: The Autobiography and Other Writings on Politics, Economics, and Virtue Edited by Alan Houston Frontmatter More information FRANKLIN: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND OTHER WRITINGS ON POLITICS, ECONOMICS, AND VIRTUE Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) is one of the best-known and least-understood figures in the history of eighteenth-century political thought. Though a man of extraordinary intellectual accomplishment, he was an occasional writer who left no major treatise. Though the author of essays and pamphlets on a wide range of topics, he is often known only through his two most famous pro- ductions, the Autobiography and Poor Richard’s Almanack. Though a pivotal actor in and keen observer of colonial and revolutionary American politics, Franklin has resisted classification using the terms of contemporary historical analysis; he is neither classical republican nor Lockean liberal. The present volume provides the textal foundation for a comprehensive reassessment of Franklin’s political thought. Alan Houston makes available, for the first time, a full and representative selection of Franklin’s most impor- tant political writings. He pairs a new edition of the Autobiography with let- ters, essays, pamphlets, and manuscript notes on topics ranging from political economy, moral psychology, religious belief and practice, voluntary associa- tion, and the public sphere of news and communication, to the dynamics of international migration and the design of political institutions. Through these texts Franklin -
The Bicentennial Tribute to American Mathematics 1776–1976
THE BICENTENNIAL TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN MATHEMATICS Donald J. Albers R. H. McDowell Menlo College Washington University Garrett Birkhof! S. H. Moolgavkar Harvard University Indiana University J. H. Ewing Shelba Jean Morman Indiana University University of Houston, Victoria Center Judith V. Grabiner California State College, C. V. Newsom Dominguez Hills Vice President, Radio Corporation of America (Retired) W. H. Gustafson Indiana University Mina S. Rees President Emeritus, Graduate School P. R. Haimos and University Center, CUNY Indiana University Fred S. Roberts R. W. Hamming Rutgers University Bell Telephone Laboratories R. A. Rosenbaum I. N. Herstein Wesleyan University University of Chicago S. K. Stein Peter J. Hilton University of California, Davis Battelle Memorial Institute and Case Western Reserve University Dirk J. Struik Massachusetts Institute of Technology Morris Kline (Retired) Brooklyn College (CUNY) and New York University Dalton Tarwater Texas Tech University R. D. Larsson Schenectady County Community College W. H. Wheeler Indiana University Peter D. Lax New York University, Courant Institute A. B. Willcox Executive Director, Mathematical Peter A. Lindstrom Association of America Genesee Community College W. P. Ziemer Indiana University The BICENTENNIAL TRIBUTE to AMERICAN MATHEMATICS 1776 1976 Dalton Tarwater, Editor Papers presented at the Fifty-ninth Annual Meeting of the Mathematical Association of America commemorating the nation's bicentennial Published and distributed by The Mathematical Association of America © 1977 by The Mathematical Association of America (Incorporated) Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 77-14706 ISBN 0-88385-424-4 Printed in the United States of America Current printing (Last Digit): 10 987654321 PREFACE It was decided in 1973 that the Mathematical Association of America would commemorate the American Bicentennial at the San Antonio meet- ing of the Association in January, 1976, by stressing the history of Ameri- can mathematics. -
Benjamin Franklin: American Founder, Atlantic Citizen
B ENJAMIN FRANKLIN Known for his influential role in the debates that established the founding documents of the United States, Benjamin Franklin brought to the new nation the insights of a political career that spanned half a century, from the French and Indian War to the drafting of the Bill of Rights. In many ways, Franklin’s commitment to the American cause was informed by his experi- ences as an Atlantic citizen who spent the decade before the Declaration of Independence in England, and the following seven years in France. The career and life of this iconic American founder provide an ideal opportunity for students to take a closer look at eighteenth-century colonial society and the contested formation of the early American nation. In this carefully contextualized account, Nathan R. Kozuskanich considers the many facets of Franklin’s private and public lives, and shows how Frank- lin grappled with issues that still concern us today: the right to bear arms, the legacy of slavery, and the nature of American democracy. In a concise narrative bolstered by supporting primary documents, Benjamin Franklin: American Founder, Atlantic Citizen introduces students to the world of the burgeoning United States and enables them to understand the journey from imperial colonies to an independent nation dedicated to the premise that all men are created equal. Nathan R. Kozuskanich is Associate Professor of History at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario. R OUTLEDGE HISTORICAL AMERICANS S ERIES EDITOR: PAUL FINKELMAN Routledge Historical Americans is a series of short, vibrant biographies that illuminate the lives of Americans who have had an impact on the world. -
Introduction 1
NOTES Introduction 1. Mary Douglas, Purity and Danger, quoted in Jeff Persels and Russell Ganim, eds, Fecal Matters in Early Modern Literature and Art (Aldershot, Hampshire and Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2004), pp. xii–xv. Also William Ian Miller, The Anatomy of Disgust (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1997), pp. 43–4. This said, Douglas does not consider the fart in any systematic way, only incidentally; for example, Purity and Danger: An Analysis of the Concepts of Pollution and Taboo (London and New York: Routledge 1966, repr. 1996), p. 120. Waste studies is a scholarly domain in its own right. Most relevantly to medieval waste, see Susan Signe Morrison, Excrement in the Late Middle Ages: Sacred Filth and Chaucer’s Fecopoetics (New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008), especially pp. 139–58. 2. John Trevisa, On the Properties of Things: John Trevisa’s Translation of Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Re Proprietatibus, ed. M.C. Seymour, Elizabeth Brockhurst, Gabriel M. Liegey, M.H. Blechner, Ralph Hanna III, Joseph E. Grennen et al., 3 vols. (Oxford: Clarendon, 1975–1988), 7.49, 1:401. 3. Walter Benjamin, Illuminations, ed. Hannah Arendt, trans. Harry Zohn (New York: Schocken, 1968), p. 197. 4. At a distance, the Angel and Royal gargoyle looks like a face, but viewed from underneath, is clearly a butt. Autun’s gargoyle, however, leaves no room for doubt at any angle. See Janetta Rebold Benton, Holy Terrors: Gargoyles on Medieval Buildings (New York: Abbeville, 1997), pp. 60–3. “Gargoyle” comes from OF la gargole [throat]. 5. For Middle Ages as origin of the contemporary, see Umberto Eco, Travels in Hyperreality, trans. -
San Diego Public Library New Additions December 2009
San Diego Public Library New Additions December 2009 Adult Materials 000 - Computer Science and Generalities California Room 100 - Philosophy & Psychology CD-ROMs 200 - Religion Compact Discs 300 - Social Sciences DVD Videos/Videocassettes/VCDs 400 - Language eAudiobooks/eVideos 500 - Science Fiction 600 - Technology Foreign Languages 700 - Art Genealogy Room 800 - Literature Graphic Novels 900 - Geography & History Large Print Audiocassettes MP3 Audiobooks Audiovisual Materials Newspaper Room Biographies Fiction Call # Author Title [MYST] FIC/ABBOTT Abbott, Megan E. Bury me deep FIC/ABI Abi-Ezzi, Nathalie A girl made of dust FIC/ABRAMS Abrams, Dwan. Married strangers FIC/ADAMS Adams, Carrie. The stepmother [MYST] FIC/ADAMS Adams, Harold No badge, no gun FIC/ADICHIE Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi Half of a yellow sun FIC/ADLER Adler, Elizabeth (Elizabeth A.) The last time I saw Paris FIC/ADLER Adler, Elizabeth (Elizabeth A.) There's something about St. Tropez FIC/ADVAITA KALA Advaita Kala Almost single FIC/AHERN Ahern, Cecelia PS, I love you FIC/AJVIDE LINDQVIST Ajvide Lindqvist, John Let me in FIC/AKPAN Akpan, Uwem. Say you're one of them FIC/ALBAHARI Albahari, David Götz and Meyer [MYST] FIC/ALBERT Albert, Susan Wittig. Spanish dagger [MYST] FIC/ALBERT Albert, Susan Wittig. The tale of Applebeck Orchard FIC/ALCOTT Alcott, Louisa May Little women ; Little men ; Jo's boys FIC/ALCOTT Alcott, Louisa May Louisa May Alcott on race, sex, and slavery [SCI-FI] FIC/ALLSTON Allston, Aaron. Outcast FIC/ALTEN Alten, Steve. Domain FIC/ALVAREZ Alvarez, Julia. In the time of the butterflies [MYST] FIC/ALVTEGEN Alvtegen, Karin Missing FIC/ANAYA Anaya, Rudolfo A. -
4.1 Heat 4.2 Motion 4.3 Astronomical Observations 4.4 Storms 4.5 Climate and Oceans
1.1 REVISITING BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AND HIS ROLE AS AMERICA'S FIRST GEOSCIENTIST Paul H. Ruscher* The Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 1. INTRODUCTION 4 .3 Astronomical observations Benjamin Franklin is well known to all meteorologists Eclipses and transects of planets both piqued for his experimentation in lightning as well as many F ranklin’s interest, and problems associated with various other aspects. He is of great interest for many reasons observations helped him to try to understand weather that are lesser known, including his views on the s ystematically. importance of a scientifically literate society, development of a systematic experimental approach to 4.4 Storms scientific thought (of his day), profiting from his ideas, basis vs. applied research, and dissemination of His discovery that nor’easters do not come from scientific findings. Much research on Franklin has been the northeast is but one aspect of the story here – he done recently in honor of the tercentenary of his birth in was also interested in hurricanes and tornadoes, too 2006, and this has created new interest in other (whirlwinds), and he was in effect the first tornado aspects of one of our "Founding Fathers" who also chaser! happened to be quite astute in his applications of others' scientific principles to practical societal matters. This 4.5 Climate and oceans paper will survey some of Franklin's interesting observations and experiments (not related to lightning), Franklin’s conjectures on the role of the Gulf Stream culled from more recent writings by historical scholars. and volcanic eruptions on climate are important contributions to the “grey literature” that helped others 2. -
Franklin: the Autobiography and Other Writings on Politics, Economics, and Virtue Edited by Alan Houston Frontmatter More Information
Cambridge University Press 0521834961 - Franklin: The Autobiography and Other Writings on Politics, Economics, and Virtue Edited by Alan Houston Frontmatter More information FRANKLIN: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND OTHER WRITINGS ON POLITICS, ECONOMICS, AND VIRTUE Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) is one of the best-known and least-understood figures in the history of eighteenth-century political thought. Though a man of extraordinary intellectual accomplishment, he was an occasional writer who left no major treatise. Though the author of essays and pamphlets on a wide range of topics, he is often known only through his two most famous pro- ductions, the Autobiography and Poor Richard’s Almanack. Though a pivotal actor in and keen observer of colonial and revolutionary American politics, Franklin has resisted classification using the terms of contemporary historical analysis; he is neither classical republican nor Lockean liberal. The present volume provides the textal foundation for a comprehensive reassessment of Franklin’s political thought. Alan Houston makes available, for the first time, a full and representative selection of Franklin’s most impor- tant political writings. He pairs a new edition of the Autobiography with let- ters, essays, pamphlets, and manuscript notes on topics ranging from political economy, moral psychology, religious belief and practice, voluntary associa- tion, and the public sphere of news and communication, to the dynamics of international migration and the design of political institutions. Through these texts Franklin -
Population Politics: Benjamin Franklin and the Peopling of North America
The Center for Comparative Immigration Studies CCIS University of California, San Diego Population Politics: Benjamin Franklin and the Peopling of North America By Alan Houston University of California, San Diego Working Paper 88 December 2003 “Population Politics: Benjamin Franklin and the Peopling of North America” Alan Houston Department of Political Science University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093-0521 [email protected] ℡ 858/534-2951 Presented at the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies Research Seminar 2 December 2003 Draft Not for citation without permission “People are indeed the essential of commerce, and the more people the more trade; the more trade, the more money; the more money, the more strength; and the more strength, the greater the nation…All temporal felicities, I mean national, spring from the number of people.” Daniel Defoe Benjamin Franklin’s Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind (1751) is a landmark in the history of modern demography, accurately predicting the relative and absolute rates of growth for Great Britain and North America into the middle of the nineteenth century. It is also a milestone in the history of immigration. Lamenting the “swarm” of German immigrants who threatened to make Pennsylvania “a Colony of Aliens,” Franklin called for policies designed to protect and increase the number of English settlers. These two dimensions of Franklin’s argument have been treated in relative isolation. Demographers have marveled at Franklin’s predictions, and identified the premise of his argument—that population grows up to, but cannot exceed, the limits of subsistence—as an important precursor to Malthus.1 Historians of immigration and ethnicity, by contrast, have condemned Franklin’s nativism, and assigned him an important role in the development of assimilationist and exclusionary policies in North America.2 There is a kernel of truth to each of these interpretations: Franklin was an 1 James H.