New Brunswick Business Daily

how did Ben Franklin embody american values?

what are the key american values, and how did he embody them? thanks

Public Comments

1. Franklin's strongest embodiment of American values was his "everyman" quality. He was interested in an incredible range of topics, developed an amazing variety of inventions, and participated in many intellectual pursuits, as well as practical politics and ambassadorship. Basically, Franklin was an explorer, inventor, and leader. He was all of these things because he was always willing to take on a challenge and always seeking to improve the quality of life for himself and others. That kind of proactive, progressive attitude is what made him a leading example of American values.
2. He was a self-made man for one, becoming very successful, respected and popular due to his own intelligence and skills. He was a brilliant scientific mind, inventing the lightning rod and refusing to trademark it so that others could manufacture them, showing his concern for the good of mankind over personal wealth. He also maintained a likeable and somewhat folksy demeanor, making him wildly popular with everyone he met and through Poor Richard's Almanac, demonstrating America's greatness and earthiness at the same time.