Dinner With Franklin by Kaitlin

Dinner With Franklin by Kaitlin - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

George Washington? First president and a soldier for the United States of America. Ludwig van Beethoven? One of the best known pianist and composers, also known for his loss of hearing in later years. Galileo Galilei? Recognized as a breakthrough astronomer and scientist, the inventor of telescopes. It would be an honor to take any of these former people to dinner, but can you think of anyone that has done more than that? Can you think of an author, inventor, and writer? The answer is Benjamin Franklin. If I had the opportunity to have dinner with any historical figure, it would have to be the one and only Benjamin Franklin.
He was fundamental in the construction of the declaration, and tied to many items that everyday people use. Born in the early eighth century in present-day Boston, Benjamin was the youngest son of Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger. Although Benjamin had great potential in school, he quit at the age of ten to begin full time working. Later he began an apprentice job for his brother as a printer, but when problems arose he left Massachusetts for Philadelphia where he spent most of his life.
In Philadelphia he soon found another position, before being encourage to set up his own print shop. He faced difficulties in London, where he had went to purchase setup supplies, and somehow ended up doing swimming performances on the Thames River.
It was about three years later when he finally opened a partner print shop in Philadelphia, after bouncing between jobs. During this time he published pamphlets that helped him work his way to success. One of his most known works was the “Poor Richard’s Almanac”, which was published for 25 years, included astronomy, weather, and poetry.
Continuing with writing, he also began inventing items such as the stove, bifocals, lightning rod, and rocking chair. With those and various other developments he was able to obtain honorary degrees from prestigious universities, and he was only self taught.
Franklin also played a vital role in the military and government. He worked in London as a colony agent twice, and became an agent for numerous colonies. After the American Revolution he helped in the writing of the Declaration of Independence, and his signature is the oldest on it. Benjamin was also a part of the Second Continental Congress, the first postmaster general, and was sent to be a commissioner in France.
To conclude, Franklin was a prominent influencer in the eighteenth century, leading many separate roles, with a broad reach, and his life encompassed a plethora of fields. This is precisely why I would want to have dinner with him. I would be curious to ask if it was difficult to work as a printer, and then figure out how to invent, before finding a place in governing the United States. When most people are known in history they are usually recognized for one thing; a diplomat, scientist, musician, or writer. Benjamin Franklin, on the other hand, is atypical, known for a multitude of achievements. That makes him fascinating as historical figure, and a person in general. I could learn what life was like centuries ago, how the United States was formed, and how some amazing inventions were formulated from someone that experienced it first hand.