Ben Franklin: The Ideal American

As one of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin appears among the most interesting and intelligent men of colonial times. A true American pioneer, Franklin became a successful printer, talented inventor, important diplomat, and celebrated author after publishing his own Autobiography. Thriving in the difficult printmaking business, Benjamin Franklin was the ultimate entrepreneur. A very frugal man at the start, Franklin counted every single penny; this sort of self-control corresponds with the idea of self determination. Epitomizing the ‘rags to riches’ story, Franklin makes his way from very humble beginnings to become an exceedingly affluent man. Spanning nearly the entire 18th century, the life of Benjamin Franklin can be considered especially emblematic of American ideals and the industrialist spirit of the early American nation.

An entrepreneur at heart, Franklin quit the apprenticeship he had with his brother and moved by himself to a brand new city at only 17 years of age; he was ready for bigger and better things: “I found myself in New York, near 300 miles from home, a boy of but seventeen, without the least recommendation to or knowledge of, any person in the place, and with very little money in my pocket” (21). This was a very bold move by Franklin. Traveling to New York and then even farther to Philadelphia was no easy feat in colonial times. This type of travel was very risky, especially for a seventeen year old without any friends in the area or much money to speak of. This kind of daring adventure is characteristic of someone who believes very strongly in themselves. Franklin