He gave us the lightening rod, the franklin stove, bifocals, and poor richard s almanack. Franklin had just moved to philadelphia from boston to find employment as a printer. Meet bens sister jane, historys forgotten franklin. Jun 07, 2017 tweet benjamin franklins favorite sister benjamin franklin, the tenth of josiah franklins sons, was six years old when jane, the seventh daughter, was born on march 27, 1712. Benjamin franklins female and male pseudonyms digital. Ben franklins backstory as herstory teachersfirst blog. While benjamin was able to forge a path to greatness from his obscure beginnings, jane, trapped by gender, starved of education, was not. Franklin believed that his behavior toward ralph s lady constituted an erratum, but felt well rid of so costly a friendship. How ben franklin stole the lightning, by rosalyn schanzer is an enjoyable and entertaining book about some of ben franklins inventions and experiments.
Should be recommended reading for high school history classes. In october 1723, read met then 17yearold benjamin franklin in when he walked past the read home on market street one morning. Both were members of an undistinguished lineage of francklynnes, then francklins, and eventually franklins, none of whom established themselves as much more than the name suggested blacksmiths, tinkerers, experimenters. Her life here first fully narrated from their entire surviving correspondence by carl van doren jan 1, 1950 4. She recorded the births of her children in a book of ages and we also see her handwriting on a copy of one of bens books that he gave her. Both were members of an undistinguished lineage of francklynnes, then francklins, and eventually franklins, none of whom established themselves as much more than the name suggested blacksmiths, tinkerers, experimentersuntil benjamin made their name one of the most famous in america. Oct 31, 2017 ben is quite taken with the 21st century, and insists on going on a tour to see how some of his creations, like the public library and fire station, are faring. His father, josiah franklin, had 17 children in total. It is truly fascinating to scroll through and take a look at some of the things that interested him. Book of ages is the name of lepores extraordinary new book about jane franklin, but to call it simply a biography would be like calling bens experiments with electricity mere kite flying. Oct 10, 20 book of ages is the name of lepore s extraordinary new book about jane franklin, but to call it simply a biography would be like calling ben s experiments with electricity mere kite flying.
The couple had three children, elizabeth, samuel and hannah, in england. Franklin made improper advances to her that she indignantly reported to ralph, who considered franklin s conduct sufficiently reprehensible to cancel all past debts. To the characters, episode plots, pictures, video s and so much more. The book is based on decades of correspondence ben and jane shared. The autobiography of benjamin franklin analysis shmoop. She was born around 1708, most likely in birmingham, england some sources state she was born in philadelphia to john and sarah read, a well respected. Thank you very much for your interest in and support of newyork historical society s public programs. They were two among a group of seventeen siblings, an unfathomable number to we who live in the land of an. Both were members of an undistinguished lineage of francklynnes, then francklins, and eventually franklins. She doesnt add anything new to our knowledge of franklin s scientific work, which was fully explored by sayre and maddox.
More on the autobiography of benjamin franklin full text of franklins autobiography bartleby. Growing up in boston at the start of the 18th century, benjamin franklin and his sister jane were known as benny and jenny. They were two among a group of seventeen siblings, an unfathomable number to we who live in the land of an average 2. Leveled book list guided reading levels olmsted falls city. Jul 16, 2018 lepores new book is called book of ages. Prior to that date, the only record of her writing is a slim book that she made to chronicle her life. Lorraine pangle, author of the political philosophy of benjamin franklin, offers a guide to the best books out there on ben franklin. You will find all things from the original 2d and updated 3d animated series that airs now since 2011.
In book of ages, historian jill lepore draws a portrait of one of the. National book award finalist from one of our most accomplished and widely admired historians, a revelatory portrait of benjamin franklins youngest sister and. In spite of her lack of formal education, she learned to read and write at an early age. Along the way, he shares stories from his life, told in comic book style. Franklin s book defines itself as an autobiography in its title and were sticking to that. From one of our most accomplished and widely admired historians, a revelatory portrait of benjamin franklins youngest sister and a history of history itself. Richard saunders benjamin franklin, poor richards almanack, 1739. Well, the autobiography is a mostly connected narrative, and franklin is using it to tell his life story.
Franklin s first book while working as a printer in london, franklin published his first pamphlet at nineteen. Other than that, she exists in her correspondence with her brother. This, however, is a cautionary tale about the differences between them, not in intelligence, but in opportunities. The story of benjamin franklins sister and how women are. National book award finalist one of the best books of the year npr time magazine the washington post entertainment weekly the boston globe a new york times notable book. The life and opinions of jane franklin excerpt below. Known to historians as benjamin franklins favorite sister, jane was eleven when her restless brother ran away from boston to begin his career in philadelphia. Three sisters reunite in 1901 denver following a family rift, as they join the fight for womens. Apr 06, 2020 benjamin franklin was a lover of knowledge. He was born on a small house on 17 milk street, across the street from the old meeting house. Newyork historical society ben franklin and his sister jane.
A parent guide to finding books at their childs reading level. When her husband died, bens sisterinlaw became the proprietor of their business and a newspaper editor, a profession quite similar to her famous inlaw. He wrote more letters to her than he wrote to anyone else. In a letter to his sister in new england, a strong presbyter here follows, somewhat modified, the passage about cape breton.
A fascinating story about ben franklin and his son. In this metaphysical piece, a reply to william wollaston s the religion of nature delineated, franklin argued that if god was infinite wisdom and goodness, vice and virtue were empty distinctions. Mecom and franklin corresponded throughout the course of their lives, and some of their letters survive. I read as much as i dare, jane franklin once wrote to her older brother benjamin. And, of course, he did invent that cool little booka surprisingly excellike tracking appand that you just gotta admire for pure nerdery. The affectionate wife deborah and ben had a close marriage, except for the fact that for 18 of the 44 years of their union they lived apart. Janet riehecky 1953 biography personal, career, member. Free educational history videos watch the ben franklin story. Founding father, statesman, diplomat, inventor, printerben franklin made such a deep and lasting impact on early america that his mark is still felt today over 250 years later. Ben gives sage advice on everything from good citizenship, manners, friendship, and being happy. May 02, 2012 jenifer glynn, franklin s younger sister, now offers an insider portrait. Jul 01, 20 jill lepore interweaves her research on jane franklin, ben franklins sister, with her memories of her own spirited mother. In his delightfully characteristic prose, franklin recounts his life from his early apprenticeship days to his election as the official printer of pennsylvania and the. From benjamin franklin to jane mecom, 16 september 1758.
Please be aware that the wikia is still under construction and is been expanded by wiki users at the moment so please alert us if you have any questions on how the franklin wiki. Ann smith franklin was the wife of james franklin and sisterinlaw to the founding father benjamin franklin. Its easy enough for younger children to understand, and is fun for parents to read, too. The autobiography of benjamin franklin conservative book club. This program has been canceled because jill lepore has been nominated for the 20 national book award, and her attendance at awardrelated events is mandatory the evening of november 19. Benjamin franklin pinkerton the faithless young naval lieutenant. In 1948, the meet corliss archer comic book, using waldos likeness, published by. She was a sister from detroit, that is a fact and so clear from this book. Jan 17, 2017 we know remarkably little about the life of ben franklins sister. A biography of jane franklin, benjamins sister, it is simultaneously a fascinating look at early america, a meditation on one.
After moving to boston, they had four more children, josiah. I have not read the first book about the queen of soul it was titled from these roots, but this book by david ritz, title respect, lines up with the various stories i have heard about aretha franklin. Jane franklin mecom march 27, 1712 may 7, 1794 was the youngest sister of benjamin franklin and was considered one of his closest confidants. Koystal and benjamin franklin, illustrated by fred harper discover history through the eyes of one of the smartest, funniest, and coolest figures from americas past. Probably the most wellknown woman connected to ben was ann franklin who was married to ben franklins brother james, the owner of printing businesses in boston and rhode island.
Jill lepore opens a smeared casement on the life of jane, benjamin franklins gifted sister, confidante, and lifelong correspondent. Jane mecom, the favorite sister of benjamin franklin. American philosophical society, 2006, which you can also link to from the library thing site. Jane was the youngest daughter of the franklin family, and benjamin the youngest son. A practical guide to ethical polyamory kindle edition by veaux, franklin, hardy, janet, gill, tatiana, rickert, eve, rickert, eve.
Apr 25, 2014 jacob riis coopted it to highlight the gap between the tenements and townhouses in late nineteenth century new york, while jill lepore uses franklins saying as the epigraph to her work focused on the founding fathers sister, titled book of ages. Jane franklin mecom march 27, 1712 may 7, 1794 was the youngest sister of benjamin. Six years younger that her famous brother, jane benefited from a particularly close relationship with him all her life. The life and opinions of jane franklin, jill lepore reconstructs a history of ben franklins favorite sister. This is the story of benjamin franklins favorite sister, jane franklin mecom. Jul 11, 2017 jane mecom was benjamin franklins sister. The cree tribe native peoples series, bridgestone books mankato, mn, 2003. Jan 01, 20 the subtitle of book of ages, the life and opinions of jane franklin, is what drew me to request this book. After that, the two were together only seven times in. The book reads fairly fast and will interest anyone who enjoys reading about one of our founding fathers. Lorraine pangle is a political science professor at the university of texas at austin and codirector of the thomas jefferson center, a jmc partner program.
The ibpa benjamin franklin award program, which include over fifty categories recognizing. Though mecom never attended school, she learned to read and write under the tutelage of. Benjamin franklin was born on january 17, 1706 in boston in what was known as the massachusetts bay colony. Benjamin franklin, raintree steckvaughn austin, tx, 2003. In 1790, benjamin franklin left a legacy to the citizens of boston that andrew. Benjamin franklin was the most famous american of his agea worldrenowned inventor, essayist, philosopher, and diplomatand his classic autobiography, published after his death, is one of the greatest of all time.
Data was entered from the library of benjamin franklin philadelphia. By weaving together the tales of benjamin franklin and his beloved little sister, jill lepore creates a richly textured tapestry of life in early america. Jun 16, 2018 if you want to read the best book on benjamin franklin, than i would highly, highly recommend that you read walter isaacsons book, benjamin franklin. Janet marie waldo lee february 4, 1919 june 12, 2016 was an american radio and voice. The subject is tailormade for lepore, as artful a writer as she is exact a scholar. Franklin, rickert, eve, hardy, janet, gill, tatiana. What is the best book to read on benjamin franklin. Meet bens sister jane, historys forgotten franklin npr. From scraps and whispers, jill lepore has resurrected ben franklins youngest sister, the only relative who could truthfully say, every line from him was a pleasure. I am looking forward to reading his sisters story book of ages by illl lepore. Traditionally, an autobiography can be basically defined as a connected narrative in which an individual tells his or her life story. Jane was benjamin franklin s youngest sister, and as they were close in age they were also close in spirit.
Sep 01, 2005 plus, he certainly must have developed a more mindful outlook along the way. We know her only through the letters responded to by her brother, and a small book a book of ages which lists no more than the dates of. Adultery, a curious pregnancy and ben franklins sister. Jun 30, 2017 jill lepore delves into the unexamined life of ben franklins younger sister, jane, who unlike most of her 18th century, female peers could read and write. But even if their bond lacked grand passion, it had mutual respect.
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