The Writer's Perspective: Frankly Ben Franklin, A Musical Memoir

Richard (from "Poor Richard's Almanack"), Ben Franklin, Deborah Franklin

PROGRAM NOTES:

In the mid-1700's, Benjamin Franklin was probably the most famous man in colonial America, and after the kite experiment in 1752, the best-known American in Europe as well.

Franklin was seen by some as a conniving, miserly opportunist who used events and friendships to better his own status and that of his son. Others saw him as a concerned and curious person whose accomplishments put him in a public light, and whose abilities made him the right person for positions of importance. He was despised by people like John Adams for his unconventional private life and knack for being at the right place at the right time. He was respected by people like George Washington for his patriotism and abilities as a statesman.

He was a writer with a satirical bent as strong as Jonathan Swift. He also wrote "Poor Richard's Almanack" with its pithy sayings and light humor. Which was the real Franklin? He was a committed family man in Philadelphia, well-known and respected. Yet at the request of his country, he spent fifteen years in England away from his wife and children. He amassed a small fortune by age 42, keeping only his Postmaster position, and set his mind on things that would not make money- first his electricity experiments, then public service.

Franklin did so many things that it is difficult to put it all in perspective. Perhaps a timeline is the best way to appreciate his influence in colonial America.

1706 -- born in Boston to Josiah and Abiah Franklin

1718 -- apprenticed to brother James as a printer 1720 -- James starts newspaper (the

Courant)

1722 -- Ben writes "Dogood Letters"

1723 -- leaves Boston for New York, goes to Philadelphia instead

1724 -- sails to London

1726 -- returns to Philadelphia and sets up his own printing shop

1728 -- establishes club (Junto) which eventually becomes American Philosophical Society 1729 -- begins Pennsylvania Gazette and is appointed printer to the Assembly

1730 -- son William born; marries Deborah Read

1732 -- son Francis born

1733 -- first Poor Richard Almanac published (continues through 1758)

1736 -- becomes clerk of Assembly; son Francis dies at age 4

1737 -- becomes Postmaster of Philadelphia

1742 -- invents Pennsylvania stove

1743 -- first becomes interested in electricity

1748 -- William joins military and goes to Ohio country; Ben retires from print shop

1749 -- establishes Pennsylvania Academy (later University of Pennsylvania)

1752 -- the kite experiment; also first describes lightning rod

1753 -- becomes Postmaster General of the colonies; Royal Society honors for electric work 1754 -- attends Albany Indian conference; proposal for unity of the colonies

1755 -- meets George Washington while serving as general during French-Indian Was

1757 -- sent to London by Assembly to represent Pennsylvania's interests

1762 -- returns to Philadelphia; William named Governor of New Jersey

1763 -- returns to London to represent several colonies regarding the Stamp Act

1774 -- Deborah dies

1775 -- opposes the Tea Tax, called before Solicitor General, loses Postmaster position;

returns to Philadelphia; named to Continental Congress

1776 -- helps frame Declaration of Independence; named envoy to France during the war Darryl Bojanowski, Artistic Director, A Premiere Playhouse, Columbus, OH, June/July 1994