ISBN: 9780195157321

Benjamin Franklin arrived in Philadelphia with little more than three loaves of bread under his arm. But this son of a soapmaker went on to lead perhaps the most extraordinary life of any… More...

Benjamin Franklin arrived in Philadelphia with little more than three loaves of bread under his arm. But this son of a soapmaker went on to lead perhaps the most extraordinary life of any American. With only two years of grammar school education, Franklin became, among other things, a printer, publisher, postmaster, philosopher, scientist, inventor, statesman, musician, and abolitionist. Franklin''s achievements were many and varied. As a loyal and inspired patriot, Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming at its signing that ""we must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."" His Poor Richard''s Almanac was a bestseller and the source ofinnumerable aphorisms, such as ""Time is money"" and ""Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise,"" which still are frequently quoted nearly 300 years later. Franklin''s curiosity about the world around him led to his experiments with lightning and his invention of the lightningrod. Never idle, he spent his voyages across the Atlantic mapping the Gulf Stream, ensuring sailors faster transatlantic crossings. He also introducing the idea of paved streets to relieve the dust and mud in Philadelphia and organized the country''s first volunteer fire companies. Franklin dreamedup the efficient Franklin stove, bifocals, and daylight savings time-all still in use today. In this engaging biography, historian Edwin Gaustad chronicles the life story and many accomplishments of this fascinating and entertaining man, this exemplary citizen of a new country, the UnitedStates. | Benjamin Franklin by Edwin S. Gaustad Hardcover | Indigo Chapters Books > Biography & Memoirs > History & Politics P10101, Edwin S. Gaustad<

2004, ISBN: 9780195157321

Buch, Hardcover, Writer, inventor, diplomat, businessman, musician, scientist, humorist, and civic leader are only a few of the hats Franklin wore. Edwin S. Gaustad presents a balanced a… More...

Buch, Hardcover, Writer, inventor, diplomat, businessman, musician, scientist, humorist, and civic leader are only a few of the hats Franklin wore. Edwin S. Gaustad presents a balanced account of Franklin's life, emphasizing Franklin's character and personality and quoting extensively from Franklin's own writings.Oxford Portraits are informative and insightful biographies of people whose lives shaped their times and continue to influence ours. Based on the most recent scholarship, they draw heavily on primary sources, including writings by and about their subjects. Each book is illustrated with a wealth of photographs, documents, memorabilia, framing the personality and achievements of its subject against the backdrop of history. [PU: Oxford University Press Inc], Seiten: 144, Oxford University Press Inc, 2004<

2004, ISBN: 9780195157321

Hardcover, Neubuch, [PU: Oxford University Press]