Summary In 1753, having already served as comptroller for the American Post Office, Franklin was appointed along with William Hunter as postmaster general of the Colonies. The two were to be paid jointly six hundred pounds as yearly salary, if they could make the amount from the profits of an […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Section 14 – Colonial DiplomacySummary and Analysis Part 3: Section 13 – Philadelphia Politics
Summary As soon as Franklin disengaged himself from his business to perform his electrical experiments and philosophical studies, other people claimed his time. The Governor appointed him justice of the peace (from which duty he soon withdrew, finding he knew too little common law to serve well), the city corporation […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Section 13 – Philadelphia PoliticsSummary and Analysis Part 3: Section 12 – A Militia and a College
Summary Though otherwise satisfied, Franklin found two deficiencies in Pennsylvania: it had no militia and no college. In 1743 he therefore drew up a proposal for an academy, but laid the plan aside when he found his intended president was unavailable. He did successfully organize a philosophical society in 1744, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Section 12 – A Militia and a CollegeSummary and Analysis Part 3: Section 11 – First Involvements with Public Affairs
Summary “My first Promotion,” Franklin says, “was my being chosen in 1736 Clerk of the General Assembly.” He was unchallenged his first year in office, but his second year began with an Assembly member’s long speech opposing him. Since Franklin valued this job not only for the salary but also […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Section 11 – First Involvements with Public AffairsSummary and Analysis Part 3: Section 10 – Accounts Written at Philadelphia, 1788
Summary Franklin now decided that most strife was caused by self-interested actions, that few acted for the good of their country or mankind, and that a “united Party for Virtue,” formed of the good men of all nations, was needed. He jotted ideas on the project from time to time, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Section 10 – Accounts Written at Philadelphia, 1788Summary and Analysis Part 2: Section 9 – Planned Perfection
Summary “It was about this time I conceiv’d the bold and arduous Project of arriving at moral Perfection,” Franklin writes. “As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other.” He soon […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Section 9 – Planned PerfectionSummary and Analysis Part 2: Section 8 – Continuation of the Account. . . . Begun at Passy 1784″”
Summary Franklin includes a memo at this point stating that the account he first wrote, of family anecdotes with little public interest, had been interrupted by the American Revolution. What follows was written to comply with advice in two appended letters, and is intended for the public. The letters from […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Section 8 – Continuation of the Account. . . . Begun at Passy 1784″”Summary and Analysis Part 1: Section 7 – First Prosperity
Summary After his return from England, Franklin had organized his ten most intelligent friends into a “Club for mutual Improvement” called the “Junto.” Each member in turn was required to lead a discussion on morals, politics, or natural philosophy, and to write an essay every three months. The club had […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Section 7 – First ProsperitySummary and Analysis Part 1: Section 6 – Preparations to Enter Business
Summary After using the voyage home to devise a plan for his conduct that he “pretty faithfully adhered to” through old age, Franklin arrived to find things changed in Philadelphia. Keith was no longer governor and “seem’d a little asham’d” when encountered on the street. Franklin felt he himself would […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Section 6 – Preparations to Enter BusinessSummary and Analysis Part 1: Section 5 – The First Trip to England
Summary Governor Keith frequently entertained Franklin, always mentioned backing him in business, and proposed that Franklin take letters of credit with him to buy supplies in England. Franklin often called for the letters, but found they were never ready. When his ship was about to sail, Franklin was told that […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Section 5 – The First Trip to England