Revolutionary War Heroes :: essays papers

Revolutionary War Heroes There were many great men in the past who have contributed greatly to the growth prosperity and independence to this country. These historical figures include such men as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. These men served their country as revolutionary war leaders and helped American to become the free and just country it is today. Benjamin Franklin, born January 17, 1706, was the 10th son, and 15th child, of 17 children in the Josiah Franklin family. Josiah was a soap and candlemaker, who lived in Boston, Massachusetts with his second wife, Abiah Folger. Although Franklin learned to read at an early age, he only attended grammar school for two years. By the time he was 10 years old, Franklin was working for his father. However, he didn’t enjoy the candlemaking profession, and two years later, Franklin was apprenticed to his brother James, a printer. For five years, Franklin sought to master the printers' trade. During this time, he also strove to improve his education. Franklin read numerous classic novels and perfected his writing style. One night, Franklin slipped a letter, signed "Silence Dogood," under the door of his brother's newspaper, the New England Courant. That letter and the next 13 written by Franklin were published anonymously. The essays were widely read and acclaimed for their satire. In 1723, at age 17, Franklin left for Philadelphia. He got employed at a printing job in London, learning many important skills. He came back to Pennsylvania and had by 1730 become owner of a printing business. This is where Franklin published his first official literary work, The Pennsylvania Gazette. In 1731, Franklin founded what is considered the first public library. During the next several years, Franklin was responsible for establishing the first fire department, a police force, and the Academy of Philadelphia, which became the University of Pennsylvania. In 1732, Franklin began compiling and publishing the annual Poor Richard's Almanac. With its homely virtues, it attracted a large amount of people interested in his work and made Franklin's name a household word. Franklin had gotten involved in politics and represented Pennsylvania at the Albany Congress in 1754, called in response to the French and Indian Wars. In 1757, Franklin was sent to England to petition the king for the right to levy taxes. He remained in England for the next five years, and in that time he obtained permission for Pennsylvania to tax the estates of its proprietors, successfully repealed the Stamp Act, and represented the voice of several colonies. He befriended powerful British political leaders and wrote political satires and pamphlets on public affairs, helping keep the colonies informed on foreign affairs.