Benjamin Franklin Archetypical American

There was most definitely not a more archetypical American than Franklin. It is absolutely remarkable and astounding to see what he accomplished in his life. He was a businessman, politician, inventor, printer,and wrote two books, one an autobiography! He was a hard working, clever, and ambitious man and entrepreneur. Franklin was the creator of bifocals, the "Franklin stove, lighting rod, and the glass harmonica. Different variations of the Franklin stove are still in use today, as well as with his other inventions.

He was a practical individual, as can be attested to in his book of aphorisms. He was very much so an advocate of common sense and login in every aspect of life. His book of aphorisms is a lot like Proverbs in the Bible, in it's simplistic solutions to everyday problems. It's goal was to inform and assist people in their lives, by offering cures to each issue. This is also Franklin's motive in his autobiography, where he gives some excellent business advice.


For instance, he says that women should learn bookkeeping and accountant skills, for their husband's businesses.That way they know the odds and ends of this practical knowledge, when their husbands are no longer around. Instead of being helpless, ignorant widows, they can carry on the tradition, and have a way to earn a living for themselves. There were plenty of other hands-on applications in Franklin's literature. For example, in his book"Poor Richard's Almanac" he said, "Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy,wealthy and wise." This is an obvious good habit to get into, so one is happy and well rested for each day.

Another one would be "keep thy shop and thy shop will keep thee". Basically this means that if you maintain your business diligently, it's income will serve you well one day. You will benefit from the fruit of your labors, and be prosperous and well cared for, as Franklin was. He committed himself faithfully all his life, trying his hand at a variety of things. He was lucky enough to do swimmingly at all of them, and could therefore have the leisure of retirement.

This was rare in the average middle class family, during the 1700s. Usually it was only the wealthy that could even afford to live off the careers, without going to work. So Benjamin Franklin's success was very impressive for someone in his social position. He is said to have enjoyed reading very much and this was one of the ways he enjoyed spending his retirement.


For a man who worked so laboriously, he was wholly deserving of rest and rejuvenation. Other major feats he achieved were the founding of the American Philosophic Society, and working as a trustee of the University of Philadelphia. Franklin's religious/philosophical beliefs are rather difficult to pin down, but we do know for sure he was a deist. He had a fundamental belief of God and thought he was a non-judgmental being.
But unlike many popular figures around this time, he didn't emphasize the wrath and fury of God on humanity. He believed in the punishment of hell, if a person rejected their maker and choose sin/darkness. Yet he wasn't one to go into the vivid detail of describing eternity, in order to invoke fear in his listeners. In this way he didn't solely think of God as a terrifying, appalling dictator who was out to destroy his creation at every way.
Ben Franklin also didn't associate himself with any particular religion, favoring instead an broad or "eclectic" stance. It can be stated that although he didn't agree completely with the Puritans, he respected their strong work ethic.


Benjamin was a huge promoter of self-improvement and creating a persona. He even carried around his own," Poor Richard's Almanac" to remind himself of his goals. This was also something he wanted to communicate to his audience. He thought it was extremely crucial to always be enhancing one's life with adjustments that made it better. Now one shouldn't take this too far, by being haughty and proud of what they had done in their lifetime. They should take up the strategy of not taking credit and remaining humble.

To be completely fair, Franklin only exemplified this practice on the surface. It was a false perception that didn't really reflect his true heart. He was very proud of being such a well-rounded or versatile person and for good reason.

By the end of his lifetime, there was a stunning number of accolades he could brag about. He was an instrumental politician during the American Revolution,and the oldest one at the National Convention(during the French Revolution) He had written his way to success,  with his Poor Richard's Almanac which sold 10,000 copies a year. His personal memoir became the most famous and influential example of an autobiography ever composed! He had invented 4 different masterpieces, which all continue to be sold long after his death. Finally, he was the very definition of an entrepreneur, starting his own successful printing business and store.


Benjamin Franklin has gone down in history,renown all over the world as a historical legend and a model American. No one in American can be compared to him, in the immenseness of his attainments.