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100 Benjamin Franklin Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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Benjamin Franklin is a name that resonates throughout American history as one of its most influential figures. Not only was he a Founding Father of the United States but also a polymath, inventor, writer, and philosopher. His contributions to the fields of science, literature, and politics are unparalleled, making him a popular subject for essays, research papers, and discussions. If you're looking for Benjamin Franklin essay topic ideas and examples, you've come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you with 100 thought-provoking prompts to inspire your writing.

• Benjamin Franklin: A Renaissance Man of American History.
• The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: A reflection of his life and achievements.
• Franklin's role in shaping the American Revolution.
• The impact of Benjamin Franklin's inventions on society.
• Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the field of electricity.
• Franklin's role in the formation of the United States Constitution.
• The diplomatic achievements of Benjamin Franklin.
• Franklin as a writer: Analyzing his popular works.
• Benjamin Franklin's views on education and its significance.
• The influence of Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack.
• Franklin's role in establishing the first public library in America.
• Benjamin Franklin's role in the abolitionist movement.
• Franklin's impact on the field of printing and journalism.
• The role of Benjamin Franklin in the creation of the United States Postal Service.
• Franklin's efforts in promoting public safety through the creation of fire departments.
• The role of Benjamin Franklin in the formation of the American Philosophical Society.
• Franklin's views on religion: Deism and spirituality.
• The impact of Franklin's experiments with electricity on the field of science.
• Franklin's role in the development of the bifocal eyeglasses.
• Benjamin Franklin as a mentor: His influence on future generations.
• The significance of Franklin's "Join or Die" political cartoon.
• Franklin's role as a diplomat in Europe during the American Revolution.
• Analyzing Franklin's political writings and speeches.
• The role of Benjamin Franklin in the creation of the Declaration of Independence.
• Franklin's contributions to the field of meteorology.
• The influence of Franklin's "An Economical Project" on American society.
• Franklin's views on women's rights and their role in society.
• Benjamin Franklin's impact on the field of medicine and public health.
• Franklin's role in the establishment of the University of Pennsylvania.
• The significance of Franklin's role in the French Revolution.
• Analyzing Franklin's involvement in the creation of the American flag.
• The impact of Franklin's "The Way to Wealth" on American economic thought.
• Franklin's role in the creation of the American anti-slavery movement.
• The influence of Franklin's moral virtues on personal development.
• Benjamin Franklin's political ideology and its relevance today.
• Franklin's contributions to the understanding of ocean currents and weather patterns.
• The impact of Franklin's experiments with lightning rods on building safety.
• Franklin's role in the creation of the American Mint and currency system.
• Analyzing Franklin's role in the creation of the American Philosophical Society Museum.
• The significance of Franklin's involvement in the drafting of the Treaty of Paris.
• Franklin's contributions to the field of population studies and demographics.
• The influence of Franklin's "Rules for a Good Society" on social behavior.
• Franklin's role in the creation of the American insurance industry.
• The impact of Franklin's experiments with air conditioning on modern technology.
• Franklin's views on personal finance and wealth accumulation.
• Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the field of political satire.
• Franklin's role in the establishment of the first hospital in the United States.
• The significance of Franklin's role in the creation of the American Anti-Slavery Society.
• Analyzing Franklin's involvement in the creation of the American Philosophical Society Library.
• The impact of Franklin's experiments with kites on the understanding of electricity.
• Franklin's contributions to the field of environmental conservation and sustainability.
• The influence of Franklin's "Advice to a Young Tradesman" on entrepreneurship.
• Franklin's role in the creation of the American system of public education.
• The significance of Franklin's involvement in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation.
• Franklin's contributions to the field of cartography and mapmaking.
• Analyzing Franklin's role in the creation of the American Red Cross.
• The impact of Franklin's experiments with ocean currents on maritime navigation.
• Franklin's views on freedom of speech and the press.
• Franklin's role in the creation of the American system of weights and measures.
• The significance of Franklin's involvement in the creation of the American Historical Society.
• Franklin's contributions to the field of urban planning and city development.
• The influence of Franklin's "The Speech of Polly Baker" on gender equality.
• Franklin's role in the creation of the American system of public transportation.
• The impact of Franklin's experiments with harmonicas on musical instruments.
• Franklin's views on immigration and its impact on American society.
• Franklin's role in the establishment of the first public hospital in the United States.
• Analyzing Franklin's involvement in the creation of the American Anti-Slavery Society Museum.
• The significance of Franklin's role in the creation of the American Philosophical Society Archives.
• Franklin's contributions to the field of agricultural innovation and farming techniques.
• The influence of Franklin's "Rules for Promoting Matrimony" on marriage customs.
• Franklin's role in the creation of the American system of public parks.
• The impact of Franklin's experiments with glass armonicas on music composition.
• Franklin's views on immigration and cultural diversity.
• Franklin's role in the establishment of the first public university in the United States.
• Analyzing Franklin's involvement in the creation of the American Historical Society Museum.
• Franklin's contributions to the field of transportation infrastructure and engineering.
• The influence of Franklin's "The Speech of Miss Polly Baker" on women's rights.
• Franklin's role in the creation of the American system of public libraries.
• The impact of Franklin's experiments with lightning conductors on electrical safety.
• Franklin's views on religious tolerance and freedom of worship.
• Franklin's role in the establishment of the first public art museum in the United States.
• Analyzing Franklin's involvement in the creation of the American Anti-Slavery Society Library.
• The significance of Franklin's role in the creation of the American Historical Society Archives.
• Franklin's contributions to the field of renewable energy and sustainable technologies.
• The influence of Franklin's "The Way to Matrimony" on courtship rituals.
• Franklin's role in the creation of the American system of public housing.
• The impact of Franklin's experiments with glass harmonicas on music therapy.
• Franklin's views on immigration and assimilation of different cultures.
• Franklin's role in the establishment of the first public art gallery in the United States.
• Analyzing Franklin's involvement in the creation of the American Historical Society Library.
• The significance of Franklin's role in the creation of the American Philosophical Society Museum.
• Franklin's contributions to the field of urban design and city planning.
• The influence of Franklin's "The Speech of Mr. Polly Baker" on gender roles.
• Franklin's role in the creation of the American system of public museums.
• The impact of Franklin's experiments with electricity on modern telecommunications.
• Franklin's views on immigration and the melting pot theory.
• Franklin's role in the establishment of the first public theater in the United States.
• Analyzing Franklin's involvement in the creation of the American Anti-Slavery Society Archives.
• The significance of Franklin's role in the creation of the American Historical Society Museum.

These 100 Benjamin Franklin essay topic ideas and examples should provide you with a wide range of options to explore his life, contributions, and legacy. Remember to choose a topic that interests you and allows you to delve deeper into the subject matter. Benjamin Franklin's multifaceted persona and his impact on various fields make him an enduring figure in American history, worthy of further study and exploration.

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Benjamin Franklin

By: History.com Editors

Updated: March 28, 2023 | Original: November 9, 2009

One of the leading figures of early American history, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a statesman, author, publisher, scientist, inventor and diplomat. Born into a Boston family of modest means, Franklin had little formal education. He went on to start a successful printing business in Philadelphia and grew wealthy. Franklin was deeply active in public affairs in his adopted city, where he helped launch a lending library, hospital and college and garnered acclaim for his experiments with electricity, among other projects. During the American Revolution , he served in the Second Continental Congress and helped draft the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He also negotiated the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War (1775-83). In 1787, in his final significant act of public service, he was a delegate to the convention that produced the U.S. Constitution .

Benjamin Franklin’s Early Years

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in colonial Boston. His father, Josiah Franklin (1657-1745), a native of England, was a candle and soap maker who married twice and had 17 children. Franklin’s mother was Abiah Folger (1667-1752) of Nantucket, Massachusetts , Josiah’s second wife. Franklin was the eighth of Abiah and Josiah’s 10 offspring.

Did you know? Benjamin Franklin is the only Founding Father  to have signed all four of the key documents establishing the U.S.: the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Treaty of Alliance with France (1778), the Treaty of Paris establishing peace with Great Britain (1783) and the U.S. Constitution (1787).

Franklin’s formal education was limited and ended when he was 10; however, he was an avid reader and taught himself to become a skilled writer. In 1718, at age 12, he was apprenticed to his older brother James, a Boston printer. By age 16, Franklin was contributing essays (under the pseudonym Silence Dogood) to a newspaper published by his brother. At age 17, Franklin ran away from his apprenticeship to Philadelphia, where he found work as a printer. In late 1724, he traveled to London, England, and again found employment in the printing business.

Benjamin Franklin: Printer and Publisher

Benjamin Franklin returned to Philadelphia in 1726, and two years later opened a printing shop. The business became highly successful producing a range of materials, including government pamphlets, books and currency. In 1729, Franklin became the owner and publisher of a colonial newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette , which proved popular—and to which he contributed much of the content, often using pseudonyms. Franklin achieved fame and further financial success with “Poor Richard’s Almanack,” which he published every year from 1733 to 1758. The almanac became known for its witty sayings, which often had to do with the importance of diligence and frugality, such as “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

In 1730, Franklin began living with Deborah Read (c. 1705-74), the daughter of his former Philadelphia landlady, as his common-law wife. Read’s first husband had abandoned her; however, due to bigamy laws, she and Franklin could not have an official wedding ceremony. Franklin and Read had a son, Francis Folger Franklin (1732-36), who died of smallpox at age 4, and a daughter, Sarah Franklin Bache (1743-1808). Franklin had another son, William Franklin (c. 1730-1813), who was born out of wedlock. William Franklin served as the last colonial governor of New Jersey , from 1763 to 1776, and remained loyal to the British during the American Revolution . He died in exile in England.

Benjamin Franklin and Philadelphia

As Franklin’s printing business prospered, he became increasingly involved in civic affairs. Starting in the 1730s, he helped establish a number of community organizations in Philadelphia, including a lending library (it was founded in 1731, a time when books weren’t widely available in the colonies, and remained the largest U.S. public library until the 1850s), the city’s first fire company , a police patrol and the American Philosophical Society , a group devoted to the sciences and other scholarly pursuits. 

Franklin also organized the Pennsylvania militia, raised funds to build a city hospital and spearheaded a program to pave and light city streets. Additionally, Franklin was instrumental in the creation of the Academy of Philadelphia, a college which opened in 1751 and became known as the University of Pennsylvania in 1791.

Franklin also was a key figure in the colonial postal system. In 1737, the British appointed him postmaster of Philadelphia, and he went on to become, in 1753, joint postmaster general for all the American colonies. In this role he instituted various measures to improve mail service; however, the British dismissed him from the job in 1774 because he was deemed too sympathetic to colonial interests. In July 1775, the Continental Congress appointed Franklin the first postmaster general of the United States, giving him authority over all post offices from Massachusetts to Georgia . He held this position until November 1776, when he was succeeded by his son-in-law. (The first U.S. postage stamps, issued on July 1, 1847, featured images of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington .)

Benjamin Franklin's Inventions

In 1748, Franklin, then 42 years old, had expanded his printing business throughout the colonies and become successful enough to stop working. Retirement allowed him to concentrate on public service and also pursue more fully his longtime interest in science. In the 1740s, he conducted experiments that contributed to the understanding of electricity, and invented the lightning rod, which protected buildings from fires caused by lightning. In 1752, he conducted his famous kite experiment and demonstrated that lightning is electricity. Franklin also coined a number of electricity-related terms, including battery, charge and conductor.

In addition to electricity, Franklin studied a number of other topics, including ocean currents, meteorology, causes of the common cold and refrigeration. He developed the Franklin stove, which provided more heat while using less fuel than other stoves, and bifocal eyeglasses, which allow for distance and reading use. In the early 1760s, Franklin invented a musical instrument called the glass armonica. Composers such as Ludwig Beethoven (1770-1827) and Wolfgang Mozart (1756-91) wrote music for Franklin’s armonica; however, by the early part of the 19th century, the once-popular instrument had largely fallen out of use.

READ MORE: 11 Surprising Facts About Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin and the American Revolution

In 1754, at a meeting of colonial representatives in Albany, New York , Franklin proposed a plan for uniting the colonies under a national congress. Although his Albany Plan was rejected, it helped lay the groundwork for the Articles of Confederation , which became the first constitution of the United States when ratified in 1781.

In 1757, Franklin traveled to London as a representative of the Pennsylvania Assembly, to which he was elected in 1751. Over several years, he worked to settle a tax dispute and other issues involving descendants of William Penn (1644-1718), the owners of the colony of Pennsylvania. After a brief period back in the U.S., Franklin lived primarily in London until 1775. While he was abroad, the British government began, in the mid-1760s, to impose a series of regulatory measures to assert greater control over its American colonies. In 1766, Franklin testified in the British Parliament against the Stamp Act of 1765, which required that all legal documents, newspapers, books, playing cards and other printed materials in the American colonies carry a tax stamp. Although the Stamp Act was repealed in 1766, additional regulatory measures followed, leading to ever-increasing anti-British sentiment and eventual armed uprising in the American colonies .

Franklin returned to Philadelphia in May 1775, shortly after the Revolutionary War (1775-83) had begun, and was selected to serve as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, America’s governing body at the time. In 1776, he was part of the five-member committee that helped draft the Declaration of Independence , in which the 13 American colonies declared their freedom from British rule. That same year, Congress sent Franklin to France to enlist that nation’s help with the Revolutionary War. In February 1778, the French signed a military alliance with America and went on to provide soldiers, supplies and money that proved critical to America’s victory in the war.

As minister to France starting in 1778, Franklin helped negotiate and draft the 1783  Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War.

Benjamin Franklin’s Later Years

In 1785, Franklin left France and returned once again to Philadelphia. In 1787, he was a Pennsylvania delegate to the Constitutional Convention. (The 81-year-old Franklin was the convention’s oldest delegate.) At the end of the convention, in September 1787, he urged his fellow delegates to support the heavily debated new document. The U.S. Constitution was ratified by the required nine states in June 1788, and George Washington (1732-99) was inaugurated as America’s first president in April 1789.

Franklin died a year later, at age 84, on April 17, 1790, in Philadelphia. Following a funeral that was attended by an estimated 20,000 people, he was buried in Philadelphia’s Christ Church cemetery. In his will, he left money to Boston and Philadelphia, which was later used to establish a trade school and a science museum and fund scholarships and other community projects.

More than 200 years after his death, Franklin remains one of the most celebrated figures in U.S. history. His image appears on the $100 bill, and towns, schools and businesses across America are named for him.

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80 Benjamin Franklin Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on benjamin franklin, 🎓 most interesting benjamin franklin research titles, 💡 simple benjamin franklin essay ideas, ❓ questions about benjamin franklin.

• Benjamin Franklin vs. Jay Gatsby: Character Comparison
• “Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America”: Franklin’s Argument on Tolerance
• The Lancaster Treaty of 1744 Published by Franklin
• What Kind of Person Was Benjamin Franklin?
• Benjamin Franklin “The Autobiography” Review
• Feminism in Literary Works of Murray, Franklin, and Fuller
• Jacket’s “Indian Speech” and Franklin’s “Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America”
• Benjamin Franklin Is a Historical Figure in the US
• Benjamin Franklin’s Biography: The Role of Franklin in the Development of Political Theory
• Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) Biography
• Mary Rowlandson and Benjamin Franklin’s Storied
• Benjamin Franklin and the Birth of a Paper Money Economy
• Management and Planning Benjamin Franklin
• The Success and Influence of Benjamin Franklin in the ‘Re-Born’ America
• Olaudah Equiano and Benjamin Franklin
• Benjamin Franklin’s Albany Plan of Union
• Prediction and Benjamin Franklin Assignment
• Relationship Between Benjamin Franklin and George Whitefield
• The Early Life, Political Career, and Influence of Benjamin Franklin
• New York Craftsmen and the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
• Benjamin Franklin and His Contribution to the America Assignment
• Life Lessons From the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
• Benjamin Franklin, the Father of Foreign Diplomacy
• The Youngest Son Out Nineteen Kids by Benjamin Franklin
• Benjamin Franklin and Religion
• The Life and Successes of Benjamin Franklin
• Benjamin Franklin and His Relation to American Identity Assignment
• Persevering Thru the Eyes of Benjamin Franklin
• Benjamin Franklin’s Impact On American Literature
• Puritanism and Anti-puritanism: Benjamin Franklin
• Benjamin Franklin and His Contribution to the American Revolution
• The Reasons Why Benjamin Franklin Was a Deist
• Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography Wisdom
• Franklin’s Tangled Individuality: The Impacts of Social Partiality
• Frederick Douglass and Benjamin Franklin on Alcohol
• The Early Life and Business Lifestyle of Benjamin Franklin
• Benjamin Franklin Believed Moderation: The Most Important Virtue of Life
• The Problems and Opportunities of Benjamin Franklin
• Benjamin Franklin Established the Model for the American Self Made Man
• Jonathan Edwards and Benjamin Franklin’s Influence on American Literature
• Benjamin Franklin’s Diplomatic Mission
• Benjamin Franklin and Steve Jobs: Two Examples of Leaders and Inventors
• The Life and Interests of Benjamin Franklin
• Autobiography of Ben Franklin and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
• The Benjamin Franklin Effect: The Surprising Psychology of How To Handle Haters
• Benjamin Franklin’s Inventions Impact Society
• The Life and Works of the Great Inventor, Benjamin Franklin
• Benjamin Franklin: His Philosophies and Thoughts
• American Heroes: Franklin and Mccandless as The Representatives of American Values
• Benjamin Franklin’s Frugality and Common Sense
• How Many Wives Did Benjamin Franklin Have?
• How Is Benjamin Franklin Associated With Advertising?
• Did Benjamin Franklin Create the Idea of the Leap Year?
• When Was Benjamin Franklin Vice President?
• What Was Benjamin Franklin’s First Job?
• How Did Benjamin Franklin Die?
• What Did Benjamin Franklin Study in College?
• Why Is Benjamin Franklin on the $100 Bill?
• Why Was Benjamin Franklin Called the First American?
• How Many Terms Did Benjamin Franklin Serve?
• What Famous Quote Did Benjamin Franklin Say?
• How Did Europeans Perceive Benjamin Franklin?
• Why Did Benjamin Franklin Not Become a President?
• How Did Benjamin Franklin Affect the Seven Years’ War?
• How Did Benjamin Franklin Affect the French and Indian War?
• What Nationality Was Benjamin Franklin?
• What Was Benjamin Franklin Best Known for as a Scientist?
• How Many Languages Did Benjamin Franklin Speak?
• How Was Benjamin Franklin a Symbol of Individualism?
• What Drew Benjamin Franklin to Science?
• How Did Benjamin Franklin Improve Colonial Society?
• How Did Benjamin Franklin Contribute to the Enlightenment?
• Did Benjamin Franklin Print His Own Money?
• When Did Benjamin Franklin Sign the Declaration of Independence?
• Where Did Benjamin Franklin Invent the Lightning Rod?
• What Bird Did Benjamin Franklin Suggest as a National Symbol?
• Where Was Benjamin Franklin Educated?
• Did Benjamin Franklin Help Write the Treaty of Paris?
• When Did Benjamin Franklin Sign the Constitution?
• What Publications Did Benjamin Franklin Author?

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StudyCorgi. (2022, May 10). 80 Benjamin Franklin Essay Topics. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/benjamin-franklin-essay-topics/

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StudyCorgi . "80 Benjamin Franklin Essay Topics." May 10, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/benjamin-franklin-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2022. "80 Benjamin Franklin Essay Topics." May 10, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/benjamin-franklin-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on Benjamin Franklin were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on December 27, 2023 .

Benjamin Franklin and the American Enlightenment

Written by: Thomas Kidd, Baylor University

By the end of this section, you will:.

• Explain how and why the different goals and interests of European leaders and colonists affected how they viewed themselves and their relationship with Britain

Suggested Sequencing

This Narrative should be accompanied by the Benjamin Franklin Mini DBQ Lesson.

Benjamin Franklin stood on the corner of Fourth and Arch Streets in Philadelphia and took in the massive unfinished building in front of him. He remembered how nine years earlier, in 1740, the hall, constructed for the celebrated evangelical preacher George Whitefield, had been the largest in Philadelphia. Now it stood empty, and Franklin pondered what it might become. At forty-three years old, he was a savvy entrepreneur. In 1728, he had set up a printing house where he published several different newspapers, printed hundreds of books on a variety of topics, and, most famously, wrote his popular yearly Poor Richard’s Almanack . Franklin’s “Poor Richard” offered witty advice and practical tips, encouraging colonists to be thrifty, hard-working, and disciplined. The Almanack was a smashing success, running for twenty-eight years and selling ten thousand copies annually.

Franklin was an important American scientist, inventor, and printer who was part of the larger Enlightenment, or Age of Reason. The Enlightenment was an international conversation of ideas that took place in the eighteenth century to increase and classify knowledge about the natural world and human condition through reason and experimentation. Scientists and other thinkers joined learned scientific societies, corresponded with one another, and published their discoveries in scientific journals. Their goals were to improve society and humanity.

Although Franklin made plenty of money from his printing, he also believed his work served a greater civic and humane purpose. Newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets were like little beacons of light, spreading knowledge among citizens throughout the land. Printing also helped keep government from becoming corrupt. Franklin remembered how, in 1733, authorities had dragged the New York newspaperman John Peter Zenger into court for criticizing the royal governor, William Cosby. Zenger’s newspaper published articles suggesting that the governor had fired colonial justices who refused to increase his salary. Zenger was found not guilty of libel in the landmark case for freedom of the press. However, colonial authorities continued their attempts to censor newspapers. Franklin knew he had to be clever in using satire and anonymously written pieces if he were to criticize the government in print.

As he studied the giant assembly hall, he wondered how it might serve the cause of enlightening the city’s young men. Franklin believed it was critical for the citizenry in colonial America to be well educated. Along with others who shared the Enlightenment ideals of reason and free inquiry, he felt moral virtue was formed through learning. A virtuous people could then govern themselves in their colonial legislatures and town meetings. In addition to his work as a printer, Franklin had worked hard to spread knowledge throughout the city and improve civic life. In 1727, he created a debating society called the Junto that discussed new ideas, and in 1731, he founded the first public lending library in the colonies, the Library Company of Philadelphia, to promote civic knowledge and virtue. He also helped found a hospital, a fire company, and the militia. Now, in the 1740s, a new idea came into Franklin’s mind as he stood in front of the empty speaking hall. Perhaps this building could be a place of instruction, a beacon of light that would shed rays of truth throughout the colonies.

Franklin quickly drew up a plan for this institution, the Academy of Pennsylvania (later renamed the University of Pennsylvania). All the other colonial colleges had been founded for religious purposes. For example, Harvard College was established in the 1630s to train Puritan ministers. By the early 1700s, it was still committed to Christianity, but it taught its Congregationalist ministers the new “rational” theology instead of Calvinist doctrine. In 1701, a rival institution, Yale College, was founded by ministers who hoped it would maintain traditional Calvinist theology. The College of William & Mary (1693) was run by Virginian Anglicans, and evangelical Presbyterians founded the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) in 1746. Franklin wanted his Academy to be different. Instead of primarily training ministers, it would educate young men to be successful businessmen and public servants.

Unlike other colonial colleges, the Academy would not be run by one Christian denomination. Franklin, who grew up in a strict Calvinist family, had gradually come to think that true religion was about moral virtue rather than a particular set of doctrines. He was skeptical about traditional Christian teaching on salvation, the divinity of Jesus Christ, and the Trinity. He was also convinced, like other Enlightenment thinkers, that the best way for a society to promote virtue was to tolerate all religious beliefs. Governments should not support one particular religion, Franklin argued, but instead trust that truth would prevail through inquiry. His belief in toleration extended to the Academy’s Board of Trustees, which comprised members of several different Christian denominations.

As plans came together for the Academy, Franklin embraced another idea. Instead of following the traditional curriculum, in which students studied ancient languages and Roman and Greek classics, the Academy would teach students knowledge of contemporary arts and sciences. Franklin was a scientist who argued that the Academy should teach “practical knowledge.” Such an education would equip young men to make a good living and to be active citizens. The trustees of the Academy did not share Franklin’s vision, however, and ultimately chose a more traditional curriculum.

Franklin, perhaps the colonies’ most prominent Enlightenment thinker, most famously contributed to human knowledge with his innovative scientific discoveries. He began wondering whether lightning were a form of electricity. In 1750, he published an article suggesting that this could be proven by flying a kite in a lightning storm. Two years later, Franklin decided to try. He stepped out into the streets of Philadelphia as thunder crashed and lightning streaked across the sky and released into the stormy air a kite with a key tied to its string. He watched as the loose threads of the string began to repel each other and, as he moved his hand close to the key, saw it spark. He had proven that lightning was electricity. Franklin won international acclaim as a man of science and corresponded with many of the most important scientists throughout the colonies and Europe.

Benjamin West painted Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky sometime around 1816. By surrounding Franklin with cherubs, what statement was West making about him and his contributions to academia?

Though that was Franklin’s most famous experiment, it was by no means his last. An endlessly curious man, Franklin invented bifocal glasses and a more fuel-efficient fireplace stove, studied the circulation of currents in the Atlantic Ocean, wrote about theories of light, and made scientific observations of meteorology, refrigeration, and conduction. He did not take out any patents to profit financially from his discoveries, because he wanted all humanity to benefit from the expansion of knowledge. He pursued his scientific work while continuing to publish through his printing press, serving as president of the American Philosophical Society and colonial America’s Postmaster General, and working tirelessly as a political theorist and statesman. Franklin exemplified the enthusiasm and optimism of the Enlightenment. Like Thomas Jefferson and other men and women of the Enlightenment, he believed in the promise of reason and scientific discovery for progress. The new nation that Franklin helped found reflected many of his values: freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the importance of education and learning, healthy civic institutions, and knowledge held by a self-governing citizenry. Franklin’s work as a printer, scientist, and politician helped shed the light of liberty across a new nation. Over the next few decades, the Founders contributed to the American Enlightenment associated with creating a political novus ordo seclorum, a “new order for the ages.”

Review Questions

1. Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack is an example of his

• radical political beliefs
• entrepreneurial success
• poor business decisions
• orthodox religious views

2. Which of the following highlights Benjamin Franklin’s high regard for civic virtue?

• His founding of the Junto
• His conducting scientific experiments and sharing his findings
• His applying for patents
• His writing of his autobiography

3. How was Franklin’s Academy of Pennsylvania unique among the early colonial universities, such as Harvard and Yale?

• It was founded on Puritan principles.
• It was the first university founded in the American colonies.
• It was chartered by the British crown.
• It focused on business and public service instead of religious training.

4. Which statement best describes Benjamin Franklin’s religious outlook?

• He was a devout Catholic.
• He supported state-run religious institutions favoring a particular denomination.
• He rejected the philosophy of Enlightenment thinkers for traditional Protestant views.
• He was skeptical of organized religion and focused instead on moral virtue.

5. Throughout his life, Benjamin Franklin held all the following roles except

6. Because of the myriad roles he held in his lifetime, Benjamin Franklin typified what larger movement?

• The Great Awakening
• The Enlightenment
• The temperance movement
• The labor movement

Free Response Questions

• Explain how Benjamin Franklin influenced the development of democracy in the mid-eighteenth century.
• Explain how Benjamin Franklin’s scientific ideas and practices influenced colonial society.

AP Practice Questions

1. A historian might use the image of Benjamin Franklin to support which of the following statements?

• Franklin was interested in proving traditional religious beliefs through scientific experimentation.
• Franklin believed in a democratic form of government.
• Enlightenment thinking such as Franklin’s was based on science and reason.
• Franklin advocated civic virtue and political activism.

2. Which of the following could a historian use to support Franklin’s reputation as a thinker of the Enlightenment?

• Franklin’s devotion to the Calvinist faith
• Franklin’s publication of Poor Richard’s Almanac
• Franklin’s apprenticeship to his brother
• Franklin’s role in the founding of the Academy of Pennsylvania

3. The Enlightenment had the most significant impact on

• the Great Awakening
• Bacon’s Rebellion
• the ideals behind the American Revolution
• the demands of the Stamp Act Congress

Primary Sources

Sketch of the Franklin Stove: https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/franklin/franklin-scientist.html

Suggested Resources

Brands, H.W. The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin . New York: Doubleday, 2000.

Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. [Various publishers]

Isaacson, Walter. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life . New York: Simon and Schuster, 2003.

Kidd, Thomas S. Benjamin Franklin: The Religious Life of a Founding Father . New Haven: Yale University Press, 2017.

Morgan, Edmund S. Benjamin Franklin . New Haven: Yale University Press, 2002.

Richard, Carl J. The Founders and the Classics: Greece, Rome, and the American Enlightenment . Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1995.

Wood, Gordon S. The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin . New York: Penguin, 2004.

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Benjamin Franklin Essay Titles

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The Papers of Benjamin Franklin

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Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

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How did Franklin’s Puritan upbringing influence his character and outlook?

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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Essay

Introduction, what made franklin rise to economic success, traits that franklin identifies as leading to success and prosperity, works cited.

Benjamin Temple Franklin was born on January 6, 1706 in Milk Street, Boston. His father was Josiah Franklin, a tallow chandler who married twice while his mother was Abia Folger. Benjamin was the youngest son of his father’s seventeen children. He stopped going to school at the age of ten, and at the age of twelve, he was already an apprentice to his brother, James. The latter was a printer who published The New England Courant .

Benjamin became a contributor to this magazine, later becoming its nominal editor. However, Benjamin and his brother James later quarreled. This forced Benjamin to escape to New York, and thence to Philadelphia. He arrived in Philadelphia in October 1723, where he became a printer (Franklin 2).

Benjamin was coerced by Governor Keith to move to London after working as a printer for several months. However, he found Keith’s promises empty, and he again worked as a compositor until a merchant known as Denman brought him back to Philadelphia. Denman gave him work in his business.

Following the death of Denman, Franklin returned to his initial printing career. After a short time, he set up his own printing house in which he published The Pennsylvania Gazette . Benjamin contributed many essays to this publication, through which he aired views for local reforms.

In 1732, he began issuing his well-known ’Poor Richard’s Almanac’. This was for the enrichment of which he borrowed his terse speeches of experienced wisdom, which are the foundation of a larger portion of his popular reputation. In 1758, Benjamin stopped writing for the Almanac and printed in it “Father Abraham’s Sermon”. The sermon is considered the most renowned piece of literature produced in Colonial America (Franklin 5).

In the meantime, Benjamin was busy in the public sphere. He established a scheme for an Academy, which was adopted latter and finally developed into the University of Pennsylvania.

He also founded an American Philosophical Society. This was for enabling scientific men to communicate their discoveries to one another. Personally, he had already commenced his research on electrics coupled with other scientific endeavors, which abandoned in the intervals of business and politics until he died. He sold his business in 1748 in order to get time to study.

This was after he had acquired comparative wealth. In politics, he was at ease with being an administrator and as a controversialist (Franklin 7). However, his term in office was characterized by nepotism-related cases of advancing his relatives. His most significant service in home politics was his reforms of the postal system. Nevertheless, his fame as a diplomat rested mainly on his services linked to the dealings of the Colonies with Great Britain and later with France (Masur 3).

Franklin was sent to England in 1757 to explain to the people and the ministry of England the Colonial conditions (Franklin 10). After his return to America, he was vocal in the Paxton affair, an endeavor that saw him lose his seat in the Assembly. Nevertheless, he was re-dispatched to England in 1767 as agent for the colony.

Franklin crossed to France in 1767 where he was warmly received. However, before he returned home in 1775, he had lost his status as postmaster following his role in exposing to Massachusetts the famous letter of Hutchinson and Oliver.

When he arrived at Philadelphia, Franklin was elected a member of the Continental Congress. Two years later, he was sent to France as representative for the United States. In France, he remained the French favorite until 1785. He successfully conducted the affairs of his country such that when he returned home, his reputation can only be compared to that of Washington. He is among the champions of American independence. Benjamin Franklin died on April 17, 1790 (Franklin 13).

Going through the above overview of Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography leaves the reader with the mouth agape. This is at the discovery of the multifaceted nature of the Franklin. Simply put, he was an all-rounded personality. He was at ease in politics as he was in science and writing, not to mention printing.

He was, in deed, a practical factotum. Franklin’s autobiography, thus, can be read as a sort of ‘How-to Succeed’ manual for other Americans of his day and after. Franklin worked from the presupposition that wealth and status are objectives that motivate human beings in suffering.

He added that these evolutionary vital aims could be attained solely in a cultural framework. Franklin expounded his astute utilization of existing environmental circumstances, showing the viability of cooperative tactics in creating both wealth and reputation. Constantly, he underscored the gains of mutual philanthropy and related pro-social behaviors. His self-belief in the efficiency of cooperation is a reflection of his compassionate conviction that self-interest and community interest inescapably overlap (Masur 11).

According to Franklin, he rose to economic success through various strategies. One of the key tactics that Franklin used to become affluent and reputable was through industry and frugality. In deed, Franklin devotes a large portion of his autobiography to show how his eagerness to work hand and reduce expenses in order to achieve financial security helped him climb the economic ladder. Franklin also became successful economically because he underscored the viability of long term planning.

His industrious and thrifty character aided him to become prosperous. This is because, at every stage in his life, Franklin had clearly defined objectives. For instance, he purported to educate himself in order to become a good writer, and own his business. With time, his goals grow in various ways. They contributed largely to his scientific research. His well-defined goals also helped him to practice effective community leadership, to the extent of achieving moral perfection (Masur 13).

In order to become affluent and reputable Franklin also used competence as a strategy. He demonstrated that industry and frugality are not enough. The two traits ought to be propped up by competence for maximum effectiveness. This is evident in Franklin’s high level of skill in various capacities as a press operator, compositor, and supervisor.

He asserted that his competence was instrumental in his quick rise to the acquiring of his own printing house. The exemplary exhibition of this high skill later brought in gainful jobs and boosts demand for his services. Franklin’s competence as a writer also added to his rise to affluence and reputation by ascertaining the recognition of his newspaper and almanac (Masur 16).

In order to be successful, Franklin, in his autobiography offered readers with a number of traits that they ought to possess. One of these is silence. He held that a talkative person might end up benefiting others or oneself. As such, although it is important to remain silent, at times, talking is not altogether bad because it is not possible to determine when it will be valuable to him or her.

Another trait that Franklin identifies as important in order to success is frugality. He believed that frugality enables expense for doing well to others or oneself. Therefore, for one to be successful, it is important to minimize expenses. However, this does not imply that one should not spend even when doing well to others or oneself (Masur 21).

In addition, Franklin identified sincerity as essential in being successful. Nevertheless, he added that this should not be confused with hurtful deceit, which is condemned by this virtue. Franklin also believed that one has to be just in order to succeed. This virtue entails avoiding injuries to others or omitting the gains that are one’s duty. Franklin advocates also advocates for industry as a trait necessary for one to be successful.

This virtue emphasizes the vitality of working hard at a useful endeavor. In addition, moderation is also highlighted as crucial as it stresses the value of cooperation even in hostile conditions. Franklin added that it is not worthy using moral righteousness as a scapegoat for aggression (Masur 25).

In conclusion, although Franklin may have devoted much of his life in amassing wealth, it is also clear that his multifaceted life did not revolve around acquiring wealth alone. It was also dedicated to gaining community reputation and status. This is clearly evidenced in the way he enjoyed contrasting the depiction of his initial runaway predisposition as a runaway boy with the famous man he later became (Masur 29). As such, Franklin tends to suggest that for one to achieve complete success; his or her good traits must be visible to others.

Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin . New York: Arc Manor LLC, 2008. Print.

Masur, Louis . The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, with related documents , 2 nd edition. Boston: Bedford, 2003. Print.

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Essays on Benjamin Franklin

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The Analysis of Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography

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Franklin’s Tangled Individuality: The Impacts of Social Partiality

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Benjamin Franklin and Steve Jobs: Two Examples of Leaders and Inventors

Oppression throughout the history of america: frederick douglass and benjamin franklin.

January 17, 1706

April 17, 1790 (aged 84)

Continental Congress (1775-1775), United States

Benjamin Franklin is best known as one of the Founding Fathers who was a respected inventor, publisher, scientist and diplomat. He helped to draft the Declaration of Independence and was one of its signers.

Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, in Massachusetts Bay Colony. Franklin learned to read at an early age, and at 10 he worked full-time in his cash-strapped father’s candle and soap shop. Franklin fled Boston in 1723 to Philadelphia, that became his home base for the rest of his life. In 1725 Franklin published his first pamphlet.

In 1730 Franklin was named the official printer of Pennsylvania. Starting in the 1730s, he helped establish a number of community organizations in Philadelphia. At the end of 1732, Franklin published the first edition of "Poor Richard’s Almanack".

In the 1740s, Franklin expanded into science and entrepreneurship. In the 1740s, he invented the lightning rod, which protected buildings from fires caused by lightning. In 1752, he conducted his famous kite experiment and demonstrated that lightning is electricity. In the 1760s, Benjamin invented a musical instrument called the armonica. Also, Franklin developed bifocals that could be used for both distance and reading.

In 1754, in New York, at the Albany Congress, Franklin proposed a plan for uniting the colonies under a national congress. Franklin’s “Plan of Union,” however, failed to be ratified by the colonies. In 1775, Franklin was elected to the Second Continental Congress. In 1776, he was appointed commissioner to Canada and was one of five men to draft the Declaration of Independence, in which the 13 American colonies declared their freedom from British rule.

Franklin died on April 17, 1790, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the home of his daughter. More than 200 years after his death, Franklin remains one of the most celebrated figures in U.S. history.

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." "Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead." "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

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Essay on Benjamin Franklin

Students are often asked to write an essay on Benjamin Franklin in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Benjamin Franklin

Introduction.

Benjamin Franklin was a famous American polymath. Born in 1706, he contributed significantly to various fields like science, writing, and politics.

Scientific Contributions

Franklin is renowned for his experiments with electricity. His famous kite experiment proved that lightning was electricity.

Literary Achievements

As a writer, he is known for “Poor Richard’s Almanack,” a publication that offered wisdom and humor.

Political Influence

Politically, Franklin played a crucial role in drafting the U.S. Constitution. He was also a key figure in the American Revolution.

Benjamin Franklin’s diverse contributions make him a significant figure in American history.

250 Words Essay on Benjamin Franklin

Early life and education.

Benjamin Franklin, born in Boston on January 17, 1706, was the fifteenth of seventeen children. Despite receiving only a rudimentary education, Franklin’s intellectual curiosity led him to become a voracious reader, which ultimately sparked his interest in science and innovation.

Professional Achievements and Inventions

Franklin’s professional life was characterized by a diverse range of roles, including that of a printer, author, and entrepreneur. His inventions, such as the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, and the Franklin stove, reflected his keen scientific mind. He also established the first public library in America and the first fire department in Pennsylvania.He founded the first public hospital in America in 1751 in Philadelphia, and the University of Pennsylvania in 1749.

Political Career and Diplomacy

Franklin’s political acumen was equally impressive. He played a crucial role in drafting the U.S. Constitution and was instrumental in the abolition of slavery. His diplomatic skills were paramount during his tenure as a U.S. ambassador to France, fostering Franco-American alliances that were crucial during the American Revolution.

Franklin’s legacy is a testament to his multifaceted genius. His inventions, political contributions, and commitment to public service continue to inspire today. His life serves as a reminder of the power of curiosity, innovation, and civic duty.

In conclusion, Benjamin Franklin was a man of many talents and accomplishments. His legacy continues to influence various fields, from science and politics to public service. His life and work embody the spirit of American ingenuity and the enduring values of hard work, creativity, and civic responsibility.

500 Words Essay on Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was a man of many talents. He was a polymath who excelled in a diverse range of fields including science, writing, and politics. His contributions to society have had a profound and lasting impact, making him an enduring symbol of American ingenuity and thought.

Born in Boston in 1706, Franklin was the fifteenth of seventeen children. His formal education was limited, but his intellectual curiosity was boundless. He taught himself a variety of subjects, from languages to natural sciences, demonstrating the power of self-learning and setting the stage for his future achievements.

Contributions to Literature

Franklin’s literary contributions are significant. His autobiography, published posthumously, is considered a classic in the genre. His Poor Richard’s Almanack, published under the pseudonym Richard Saunders, was filled with witty aphorisms that have become part of the American vernacular. His writing was known for its clarity, humor, and practical wisdom.

Scientific Endeavors

Franklin’s scientific contributions were equally impressive. His experiments with electricity, most famously his kite experiment, led to the invention of the lightning rod, saving countless lives and buildings from lightning strikes. His innovative mind also produced the Franklin stove, bifocal glasses, and the glass armonica, demonstrating his ability to apply scientific principles to practical problems.

Political Career

In politics, Franklin played a pivotal role in shaping the United States. He was a key figure in drafting the U.S. Constitution. As a diplomat, he secured French support during the American Revolution, which was instrumental in the American victory. His advocacy for unity among the colonies was a precursor to the formation of the United States.

Franklin’s legacy is multifaceted. As a scientist, he laid the groundwork for many modern electrical theories and inventions. As a writer, he shaped American literature and thought. As a statesman, he helped to forge a new nation. His life and work embody the American ideals of self-improvement, practical ingenuity, and civic responsibility.

In conclusion, Benjamin Franklin was a man ahead of his time. His contributions to literature, science, and politics were profound and far-reaching. His legacy continues to inspire and instruct, reminding us of the power of curiosity, creativity, and civic duty. Franklin’s life demonstrates that one can be a scholar without formal education, a scientist without a lab, and a statesman without a title. He was, in every sense, a self-made man and a true embodiment of the American dream.

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Benjamin Franklin’s Influence on Education

This essay about Benjamin Franklin explores his profound impact on the educational landscape of America, highlighting his roles as a self-educated individual, innovator, and statesman. It outlines his contributions from establishing educational institutions like the University of Pennsylvania to promoting accessible learning and advancing scientific knowledge. Franklin’s commitment to lifelong learning, critical thinking, and the democratization of knowledge underscore his enduring legacy as a pivotal figure in fostering enlightenment and intellectual growth.

How it works

Benjamin Franklin, a luminary of American history, cast an enduring shadow over the tapestry of education, imprinting his mark not solely on the birth of a nation, but also on the very essence of learning itself. His multifaceted influence resonates through the corridors of time, weaving a narrative of enlightenment and empowerment that continues to inspire successive generations.

Born amidst the bustling streets of Boston in 1706, Franklin’s formative years brimmed with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Despite receiving only a modicum of formal schooling, he embarked upon a lifelong odyssey of self-improvement, immersing himself in the boundless realms of literature and embracing the pursuit of enlightenment.

Franklin’s autobiography stands as a testament to his unyielding dedication to education, illuminating the transformative potency of lifelong learning.

Franklin’s educational legacy transcends the confines of academia; it permeates every facet of his illustrious journey. As an innovative printer, he recognized the potential of the written word to edify and embolden the masses. Through his prolific publications, including the iconic “Poor Richard’s Almanack,” Franklin not only disseminated practical wisdom but also instilled moral precepts and adages that resonated deeply with readers across colonial America.

Nevertheless, Franklin’s impact on education stretches far beyond the printed page. In 1749, he laid the cornerstone for the Academy and Charitable School of Philadelphia, a pioneering institution that would evolve into the esteemed University of Pennsylvania. Embracing a comprehensive approach to learning, Franklin envisioned a curriculum that melded classical studies with pragmatic training, equipping students with the acumen necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

Moreover, Franklin fervently championed the democratization of knowledge. He ardently believed in the imperative of accessible education for all, regardless of social strata or lineage. His tireless endeavors to enhance public libraries and broaden educational vistas underscored his commitment to nurturing intellectual curiosity and lifelong scholarship among the populace.

Franklin’s educational ethos was as visionary as it was progressive. He extolled the virtues of experiential learning and hands-on exploration, recognizing that true enlightenment springs not from rote memorization but from active immersion in the world. His emphasis on practical skills and critical thinking laid the groundwork for a new epoch of education—one that prioritized the cultivation of well-rounded individuals capable of navigating the labyrinthine complexities of modernity.

Furthermore, Franklin’s diplomatic forays underscored the pivotal role of education in fostering global understanding and concord. As a statesman representing the fledgling United States on the world stage, he endeavored to cultivate cultural exchange and intellectual dialogue as conduits to peace and prosperity. His advocacy for educational initiatives abroad left an indelible imprint on international relations, paving the way for future generations of diplomats and scholars to bridge divides through shared erudition.

In the realm of science and innovation, Franklin’s contributions were equally profound. His groundbreaking experiments with electricity and myriad inventions—from the Franklin stove to bifocals—captivated the imagination of an era, inspiring countless minds to delve into the mysteries of the natural world. Through his pioneering endeavors, Franklin not only advanced human comprehension but also ignited a fervor for scientific inquiry that reverberates through educational curricula to this day.

In summary, Benjamin Franklin’s impact on education is nothing short of monumental. From his humble origins as a self-taught apprentice to his pivotal role in shaping educational institutions and ideals, Franklin’s legacy endures as a beacon of enlightenment and progress. His unwavering faith in the transformative power of education serves as a timeless reminder of the infinite potential inherent within each individual. As we reflect on Franklin’s contributions, we are reminded that education is not merely a journey’s end but a lifelong odyssey of discovery, empowerment, and enlightenment.

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The Federal Observer

"sic transit gloria mundi" ~ "thus passes the glory of the world.".

Benjamin Franklin Wrote an Essay About Farting In 1781… and his reason is truly CHUCKLESOME

C’mon now… let’s start off the week with a laugh for a change. we all need it ~ editor, in his essay, benjamin franklin requested experts to find a way to make the farts ‘not only inoffensive but agreeable as perfumes.’.

     Engraved portrait of a younger Benjamin Franklin by HB Hall, 1868. From the New York Public Library.

In 1780s, Benjamin Franklin, who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, wrote an essay that showed he had perfectly mastered the art of sarcasm. The topic of the essay was important scientifically – flatulence, or as many call it, farting – but it came with a touch of humor. The reason why he chose the amusing topic was a question posed by the Royal Academy of Brussels, which was formed in 1772. In its early years, the academy organized several intellectual contests for which it devised questions and awarded medals. The questions were believed to be intellectually important, having a ‘practical value.’ However, in 1799, the academy presented one mathematical question which Benjamin Franklin found ridiculous. In response to it, he wrote the essay , which is famously known as “ To the Royal Academy of Farting ” or “ Fart Proudly .”

Franklin started the essay by “humbly” requesting the academy to consider his proposal and if approved, then allow it to be seriously enquired by “ learned physicians, chemists, & c. of this enlightened age .” He wrote, “ It is universally well known that in digesting our common food, there is created in the bowels of human creatures, a great quantity of wind .” He added that usually it is considered “ offensive ” to let out the fart because of its smell.

Franklin went on to say that if it is not let out “contrary to nature” it could lead to “ great present pain ,” future diseases such as habitual cholics, ruptures, tympanies, and “ often destructive of the Constitution , and sometimes of life itself .” He claimed that if it were not for the “ odiously offensive smell ” people would have been in no restraint to let out “ such wind in the company than they are in spitting, or in blowing their noses .”

So, Franklin asked the experts to find some drug that makes farts not smelly but fragrant-filled. “ To discover some drug wholesome & not disagreeable , to be mixed with our common food, or sauces, that shall render the natural discharges of wind from our bodies, not only inoffensive but agreeable as perfumes ,” he wrote.

He then expressed that this comfort of farting without worrying is similar to witnessing a scientific discovery.

“ The pleasure arising to a few philosophers, from seeing, a few times in their life, the threads of light untwisted, and separated by the Newtonian prism into seven colors, can it be compared with the ease and comfort every man living might feel seven times a day, by discharging freely the wind from his bowels? Especially if it be converted into a perfume : For the pleasures of one sense being little inferior to those of another, instead of pleasing the sight he might delight the smell of those about him, and make numbers happy, which to a benevolent mind must afford infinite satisfaction .”

Franklin’s tongue-in-cheek essay as never sent to the academy. According to Vox , though he drafted the letter as his reply to the Academy, it was only sent to his friends like the British chemist Joseph Priestley and philosopher Richard Price.

After All that is said and done… Abscess make the farts go ‘Honda’ ~ Editor

Written by Pheba Mathai for Scoop ~ April 14, 2024

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