Benjamin Franklin and Time

It’s time to move on Ben! Franklin had so many great ideas. He put many of them to work. He was considered a scientist who was ahead of his time. Speaking of which, time. That created his worst idea.

Well, maybe not the worst. It made sense at the TIME. Ben’s father was a candle maker. Candles were a lot of work, they were relatively epensive, and they were needed everywhere. Ben knew early in his life that he didn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps and be a candle maker. But he did think about candles. read more

Founding Fathers and Their Wives

With much to do being made about women and how they should be treated equally, I though not much has been written or said about the wives of our Founding Fathers. Some of us may not even know who these women were, no not even their names. So here goes.

Benjamin Franklin married Deborah Read in 1730. Deborah was with child, and some historians think Ben may have married her to save her reputation. She bore a son, William, who Ben claimed as his own—even though they had a major falling out when William remained a loyalist against Ben’s preaching. Deborah died in 1774 at the age of 66. She never saw the greatest achievements of Ben’s career. They were good partners in business as well as in marriage. read more

Benjamin Franklin’s Project for Moral Perfection

Ben Franklin thumb pictureWhile still in his youth, Benjamin Franklin became convinced that a person’s character was inextricably intertwined with one’s happiness. For that reason, Ben designed a plan to help him to become as perfect in character as he possibly could. He called the plan his “Project for Moral Perfection” and he worked at it his whole life through.

He chose 12 character traits that he deemed necessary to improve in his relation to. But he soon added one more. He wrote:

“My list of virtues contain’d at first but twelve, but a Quaker friend having kindly informed me that I was generally thought proud; that my pride show’d itself frequently in conversation; that I was not content with being in the right when discussing any point, but was overbearing and rather insolent, of which he convinc’d me by mentioning several instances; I determined endeavoring to sure myself, if I could, of this vice or folly among the rest, and I added HUMILITY to my list.” read more

President John Adam’s Words

JohnAdamsJohn Adams as you know, was elected to succeed George Washington as the President of the United States of America. He had had a great deal to do with the creation of this new nation. He doesn’t get remembered too much for his contributions. He knew it would be that way.

His character was great, but one flaw was that he did desire to be honored for what he had been able to accomplish, which accomplishments were great, even beyond measure. You should read about his life in “Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes,” by yours truly. read more

Benjamin Franklin the Hero

Franklin_in_his_fur_capBenjamin Franklin was greeted with a hero’s welcome when he arrived back in America in 1785. He had been in Paris, France, under the direction of Congress to finally achieve a Treaty, The Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the Revolutionary War. In that achievement he was assisted by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and John Jay. They were successful, and the Treaty was heavily in favor of the United States.

John Adams was sent to England to be the man to negotiate a Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson remained in Paris as the Diplomat to France, replacing Benjamin Franklin. read more

Benjamin Franklin and His Words

As I have given many presentations over the years, people attending my talks are often prone to asking me which of the Founding Fathers is my favorite. I sometimes say: “When I’m speaking about George Washington, he’s my favorite. When talking about Patrick Henry, he’s my favorite.” And so on.

Ben FranklinBut this much I can tell you, it’s clear to me who the favorite Founding Father is in the hearts of my listeners. It’s obviously Benjamin Franklin. My lectures about Ben are the most popular, bring the highest attendance, and produce the most questions and comments. And I do love Benjamin Franklin. read more

Benjamin Franklin’s Words

Ben Franklin thumb pictureThere are some today who would like to subvert the Constitutional Requirement for voting with the Electoral College. Good winners and good losers are not much a part of our national character any more. I am amazed at the name-calling, the wishes against the duly elected President, and just the rancor.

I think we should listen to the words of Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention. Only apply it to ourselves in this situation. Here’s what he said:

“On the whole, Sir, I cannot help expressing a wish that every member of the convention (or American citizens, in this case) who may still have objections to it (the vote, in this case) would, with me, on this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility and, to make manifest our unanimity, (or the outcome of the election, in this case) and put his name to the instrument (or accept the outcome).” As quoted in Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes, by Steven W. Allen, 2003, page 199. read more

Speaking Of Our Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers coverFor years I have presented classes, speeches, and presentations about the Founding Fathers of our United States of America. I love to do it. I suppose during one of my speeches, I had become a little too enthusiastic and bombastic. One attendee came up to me afterwards to tell me as much!

I was a little like Dr. Seuss described:
“You did it! Hooray!
You ought to be proud!
You ought to get boisterous,
Noisterous, and loud!”
(Yes, he made up the word “noisterous.” But it sounds good in context! read more

George Washington’s Birthday

I just read a short story around the idea that if something needs to be done, perhaps you should do something. In part it said: “If you see a need, don’t ask ‘Why doesn’t somebody do something?’ Ask instead ‘Why don’t I do something?’

One day, entering into my office I said it was a shame that according to the newspaper this morning, there are many ‘white sales’, automobile sales, and furniture sales in honor of George Washington’s birthday, but there is no George Washington Birthday Celebration. read more

Founding Fathers Back to Basics

GeorgeWashingtonGeneral George Washington, leader of the Revolutionary War, was worried about his troops during the Winter of 1777-78, as they were camped for the winter at Valley Forge. He turned to prayer.

Soon there appeared on his doorstep Lieutenant General Friedrich Ludholf Gerhardt Wilhelm Augustine Von Steuben, from the Prussian Army, with a letter of introduction from Benjamin Franklin, the U.S. Minister to France.

Von Steuben heard about the War in the Colonies, and went to France where he met Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was impressed with the man and wrote him a letter of introduction to John Hancock, the president of Congress. Hancock provided a team of horses, a carriage, and servants and sent him to meet General Washington. read more