The Almanack was very successful and pioneered a particularly American form of folksy humor. He published Poor Richard’s Almanack for the first time in 1732.

He not only published a newspaper but was also named postmaster and won the contract to print official documents. In time, Franklin succeeded in besting his rivals and built a media empire. So, using his writing skills and shrewd business instincts, Franklin soon opened his own shop. He found work in London’s printing industry and returned to Philadelphia when a merchant paid his fare in exchange for Franklin’s promise to work for him.įranklin’s sponsor died soon after he arrived in Philadelphia. Once there, Franklin discovered that the funds would not be forthcoming. He dispatched Franklin to London to purchase the equipment. Impressed with Franklin, the governor, Sir William Keith, offered to fund a shop of Franklin’s own. Chafing under the authority of his brother, Franklin ran away at age 17 to Philadelphia where he arrived virtually penniless. These highly successful essays demonstrated Franklin’s wit and ability to write in a conversational style. Knowing that his brother would not print his work, Franklin submitted a series of essays anonymously under the pen name Silence Dogood.

That occupation was a perfect fit for Franklin given his outstanding writing skills and intellectual curiosity. He apprenticed as a printer in his brother James’s shop. Born in Puritan Boston on January 17, 1706, Benjamin Franklin was the youngest son in his family.

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