Uzbek state world languages university

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1706-1790)

He was a son of a small grocer, he was born in Boston, only one year he attended school, but all his life he kept educating himself. At the age of 12 he became an apprentice at a printing house owned by his elder brother who published the Boston Gazette. In 1723 he moved to Philadelphia where he found a society of artisans, traders and apprentices, the society called “Junta”. The aim of the society was self-education and dissemination of knowledge. It was in the basis of “Junta” that philosophical society was formed.

In the 40-ties Franklin opened his own printing house in which he published Pennsylvania Gazette. He edited this newspaper for 25 years. In this paper he published “Poor Richard’s Almanac”, which contained information concerning agriculture, meteorology and alongside with these, proverbs, stories.
This almanac contributed great deal to the enlightenment.
He read extensively. He carried on research work on physics. He discovered something concerning electricity. His activity was many-sided. He organized a library and hospital in Philadelphia. In general he became a famous public figure. Prior to the war he was given a high post in the colonial government. He went to London in 1757 as the representative of the American colonies. He returned to America only before the Revolution and took an active part in it. He was abroad almost 20 years. He was elected a member of the Committee which had to draw a new declaration of independence. Soon after, he was sent on a diplomatic mission to France. His objective was to seek a financial help on behalf of a new American Republic. In the last years of his life Franklin took an active part in the political life of his country.
As a writer he will be remembered for his essays and “Autobiographic” (1771-90). Most of his works were printed in his Almanac. He was a great humanist. In his works he raised his voice against slavery, extermination of Indians. Some of his articles bear satirical character and are directed to the British Government. Franklin was known in Russia. Radishchev, a great critic and writer thought much of him as a scientist and revolutionary.