=The Leading Facts.= _1._ Franklin's parents were poor, had
seventeen children; hence Benjamin, though a studious fellow,
was put to the printer's trade. _2._ Franklin wrote the "Dogood
Papers." Left home for New York, but went on to Philadelphia.
_3._ Persuaded to go to London. He returned and married. _4._
Franklin started a circulating library, a school which became the
University of Pennsylvania, and a society called the American
Philosophical Society. _5._ He invented a stove, founded the
first fire department in America, and printed _Poor Richard's
Almanac_. _6._ Wrote the first plan of an American Union, and won
degrees from English and Scotch universities. _7._ Franklin was
one of the committee to write the Declaration of Independence.
_8._ Was sent to France, where he won the help of France in the
War of the Revolution. _9._ Franklin was governor of the state of
Pennsylvania, was a delegate to help make the Constitution, and
died at the age of 84.
=Study Questions.= _1._ How long ago was Franklin born? _2._ Tell
of his school experiences. _3._ Why did Franklin not go to sea?
_4._ Tell the story of his bargain with his brother. _5._ What did
Franklin hear about the "Dogood Papers"? _6._ Tell the story of the
"runaway printer." _7._ How did he save his time in Philadelphia?
_8._ How did he happen to go to London the first time? _9._ What
good example did he set to London printers? _10._ Why did he return
to Philadelphia? _11._ What three great institutions did he found?
_12._ Why did the people like _Poor Richard's Almanac_? _13._ What
public offices did he hold? _14._ Picture Franklin proving that
electricity and lightning are the same. _15._ What did he go to
England a second time for? _16._ How did Franklin aid in the repeal
of the Stamp Act? _17._ In what great events did he have a part?
_18._ What was his work in France? _19._ What was his last great
work? _20._ How did he spend his last days? _21._ Point out the
obstacles he overcame all along in his career.
=Suggested Readings.= FRANKLIN: Baldwin, _Four Great Americans_,
71-122; Hart, _Camps and Firesides of the Revolution_, 158-162;
Hart, _Colonial Children_, 197-199, 210-214; Wright, _Children's
Stories of Great Scientists_, 71-89; Bolton, _Famous American
Statesmen_, 38-66; Brooks, _Century Book of Famous Americans_,
65-76.
PATRICK HENRY AND SAMUEL ADAMS, FAMOUS MEN OF THE REVOLUTION, WHO
DEFENDED AMERICA WITH TONGUE AND PEN