Americans Who Shaped Our Country
During the formidable years of our nation there were individuals that left their prints on our nation’s foundation. Among them are Harriet Beecher Stowe, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Harriet Beecher Stowe was an abolitionist who spent much of her life educating others. She was a teacher to students as well as a nation leaving a legacy through her literary and speaking skills. Thomas Jefferson was a politician who also was known as a literary genius. As a founding father, Jefferson was the main contributor to the Declaration of Independence and other political literature during the revolution and the formative years of the United States. He later becomes the third President of the United States. Benjamin Franklin is the most interesting man in the world; he probably would have enjoyed a Dos Equis. Benjamin Franklin was known as a writer, publisher, inventor, politician, philanthropist, diplomat, and he taught the French how to French kiss. (Colonial, 2013)
Benjamin Franklin
In all seriousness Benjamin Franklins is a very interesting man to study. As a self made man from a modest upbringing; he was the last son and 15th child of Josiah Franklin. (Benjamin Franklin biography, 2013) Josiah Franklin had seventeen children; he had seven with his first wife Anne Child and ten with his second wife Abiah Folger. At the young age of ten Benjamin was forced to quit school and work for his father. Two years later his father sent him to be an apprentice with his brother James who had a print shop. Benjamin’s began to write his own articles that his brother would not publish. Benjamin then created a pseudonym of Mrs. Silence Dogwood and her letters were published. When his brother found out it was really Benjamin he was angry and Franklin left to New York City. After a quick time in New York Franklin went to Philadelphia where he worked for and lodged with John Read. This is where he met his later to be wife Deborah. After a year in Philadelphia, Franklin went to London in hopes of expanding his printing career. It was there he published his first pamphlet “A Dissertation upon Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain”. He then returned to Philadelphia to find Deborah had married. He fathered a son out of wedlock during that time. He then purchased The Pennsylvania Gazette, and took Deborah Read as his common-law wife. Franklin had two children with Deborah, but only one survived childhood, that was Sarah Franklin Bache. (Benjamin Franklin, 2013) Philadelphia became Franklin’s permanent home. In 1733 Franklin began to publish the Poor Richards Almanac which increased his popularity. Franklin attempted to negotiate with Britain on their hard stand on taxing and the lack of representation of the colonies in government. When those negotiations failed he returned to Philadelphia. Soon after his return the revolutionary war began.
Franklin became a prominent political figure in Philadelphia, and later in the revolution and building of the constitution. (Benjamin Franklin, 2013) In Philadelphia he served as the Justice of the Peace, the Pennsylvania delegate in many of the colonial union meetings, organized the Pennsylvania Militia, Speaker and Member of the Pennsylvania Assembly, President of Pennsylvania (later the state governors position), US Minister to France and Sweden, and the first US Postmaster General. Franklin was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Franklin had a profound sense of humor. It is said that he in replying to a comment from John Hancock inferring they must all hang together, “ Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately." After the Revolutionary War Franklin was a prominent voice in the creation of the U.S. Constitution. He was a well respected diplomat as US Minister to France where is it said he had multiple romantic relationships.
Benjamin Franklin lived a long life dying at the age of 84 in 1790. (Benjamin Franklin biography, 2013) During his life time he was able to witness and take part in many notable historical events. He was born in the British Colonies that were becoming restless with the rule of Great Britain, specifically the heavy taxation when there was not any representation in the government for the colonies. In the changing era the colonies united (Franklin was a firm advocate of this) to create a new sovereign nation that was in need of leadership. Franklin was a founding father and prominent leader in this new government. His leadership is one of his many contributions to the America and humanity. His other contributions include his inventions and scientific exploration. He is credited for his experimentation in electrical currents including his invention of the lightening rod. He invented the bifocals and the Franklin stove, founded or held office in many programs that benefited the better of society including the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery where he was president. (Foner, 2012)
Thomas Jefferson
Like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson also lived and acted as a prominent leader during the revolution and into infancy of the newly formed United States. Thomas Jefferson was born into a family of means and grew up with the privilege of a college education and ultimately studied law. (Thomas Jefferson Biography) By his early 20’s he was already one of the most learned lawyers in America winning many of the cases he tried. He married a wealthy widow Martha Wayles Skelton, together they had six children but only two survived past childhood. His political career started with be beginnings of the Revolutionary War, where he along with fellow Virginians, Patrick Henry and George Washington were all firm supporters of American Independence. In 1776 Jefferson along with Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, John Adams and Robert Livingston were appointed to draft the Declaration of Independence. The Committee of Five selected Jefferson to author the first draft of the declaration. Jefferson would draft what is known as a piece of “art” in literary terms that demonstrates the power of liberty and equality.
After the Declaration of Independence Jefferson held many public offices including the Governor of Virginia, Vice President of the United Sates, and finally President of the United States. After his time as Governor, Jefferson left the political arena to care for his family and his large plantations. He fell back into the public life after the death of his wife Martha Jefferson. In 1783 Jefferson lead the Virginia delegation for the Confederation Congress. Two years later he replaced Benjamin Franklin as the US minister to France. Upon his return from France he found George Washington had been elected President of the United States. Washington asked Jefferson to accept a seat in his cabinet as Secretary of State and Jefferson accepted the position. Washington’s Secretary of Treasury was Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson and Hamilton were complete opposites in their political opinions; this political battle ultimately drove Jefferson to resign from his position as Secretary of State. (Thomas Jefferson) Thomas Jefferson would later run for presidency against John Adams, but loses and becomes Vice President. After John Adam’s terms Jefferson again runs for presidency against Aaron Burr. He becomes the third president of the United States of America in 1801 and service in that office for two terms.
Jefferson leaves a legacy that includes the Louisiana Purchase, repopulation of books for the library of congress, he was the founder of the University of Virginia and he is well known as an eloquent writer. (Thomas Jefferson Biography) He was instrumental in laying out the Declaration of Independence and in fighting for democracy for the America. Jefferson was a private man, and historians have labeled him as someone with many inconsistencies. (Thomas Jefferson Biography ID 12, 2013) He was against slavery, but never fought for abolition. He did not believe in politics, but was one of the dominant political figures of his time. He died on July 4, 1826 at the age of 83. Some of his last words to family and friends were
“I have done for my country, and for all mankind, all that I could do, and I now resign my soul, without fear, to my God, – my daughter to my country”
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Unlike Franklin and Jefferson, Harriet Beecher Stowe was alive in the Civil War era. Jefferson and Franklin may have set the pace for many of the events that took place during Stowe’s life; she set the pace on delivering awareness on the repulsion of slavery in the United States. Harriet Beecher Stowe was born in 1811 in Litchfield, Connecticut. She grew up in a family that widely supported education. Her sister Catherine Beecher was influential in shaping Harriet’s views. (Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe by Harriet Beecher Stowe, 2004) Harriet attended a school ran by her sister that provided education that was usually reserved for men only. Harriet would also teach at the school with her sister later in life. Her other sister, Isabella was a leader of women’s rights, and her brother Henry Ward Beecher was a famous leader. When she was 21 she moved with her family to Cincinnati, OH where her father Dr. Lyman Beecher became the head of the Lane Theological Seminary. It was there she met her husband Calvin Ellis Stowe. She and Calvin had seven children, but her second to youngest died as a child. Both Harriet and her husband shared in the belief of abolition. Due the passing of the Fugitive Slave Law Harriet express her outrage by writing about slavery. She based her novel on the life Josiah Henson and her own personal experiences, and called it Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The book was originally released in installments in the National Era. Due to the literature’s popularity it was released as a book and became a best seller selling more than 300,000 copies in the first year. (Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin)
Stowe created sympathy toward the oppression of slaves by detailing their suffering which includes families that are separated, the harsh treatment of slaves including the beating to death of her main character Tom. (Uncle Tom's Cabin, 2011) She, her brother and husband also helped fugitive slaves reach their freedom in Canada. Stowe had critics that accused her of inaccurately creating images of slavery in the south; in response Stowe created a key where she presented the original facts and documents. (Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin) By writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin Stowe contributed to the civil war by personalizing the political and the economical arguments around slavery, in a way that politicians or newspapers could not. (Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin) It is said that President Lincoln greeted Stowe by saying “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that started this Great War”. This novel found a place in American history, and is known around the world as it has been translated into 60 different languages. It helped the country face a complicated challenge that for centuries the nation was unable to confront.
All these leaders created institutions and writings that were devoted the improvement of mankind. They all had a deep moral compass that they were able to effectively articulate their causes through. While living in slightly different eras they all were opposed to slavery. All three of these individuals were well educated and were advocates for continuing education. Each left their stamp on society that is still noticed today.
During the formidable years of our nation there were individuals that left their prints on our nation’s foundation. Among them are Harriet Beecher Stowe, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Harriet Beecher Stowe was an abolitionist who spent much of her life educating others. She was a teacher to students as well as a nation leaving a legacy through her literary and speaking skills. Thomas Jefferson was a politician who also was known as a literary genius. As a founding father, Jefferson was the main contributor to the Declaration of Independence and other political literature during the revolution and the formative years of the United States. He later becomes the third President of the United States. Benjamin Franklin is the most interesting man in the world; he probably would have enjoyed a Dos Equis. Benjamin Franklin was known as a writer, publisher, inventor, politician, philanthropist, diplomat, and he taught the French how to French kiss. (Colonial, 2013)
Benjamin Franklin
In all seriousness Benjamin Franklins is a very interesting man to study. As a self made man from a modest upbringing; he was the last son and 15th child of Josiah Franklin. (Benjamin Franklin biography, 2013) Josiah Franklin had seventeen children; he had seven with his first wife Anne Child and ten with his second wife Abiah Folger. At the young age of ten Benjamin was forced to quit school and work for his father. Two years later his father sent him to be an apprentice with his brother James who had a print shop. Benjamin’s began to write his own articles that his brother would not publish. Benjamin then created a pseudonym of Mrs. Silence Dogwood and her letters were published. When his brother found out it was really Benjamin he was angry and Franklin left to New York City. After a quick time in New York Franklin went to Philadelphia where he worked for and lodged with John Read. This is where he met his later to be wife Deborah. After a year in Philadelphia, Franklin went to London in hopes of expanding his printing career. It was there he published his first pamphlet “A Dissertation upon Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain”. He then returned to Philadelphia to find Deborah had married. He fathered a son out of wedlock during that time. He then purchased The Pennsylvania Gazette, and took Deborah Read as his common-law wife. Franklin had two children with Deborah, but only one survived childhood, that was Sarah Franklin Bache. (Benjamin Franklin, 2013) Philadelphia became Franklin’s permanent home. In 1733 Franklin began to publish the Poor Richards Almanac which increased his popularity. Franklin attempted to negotiate with Britain on their hard stand on taxing and the lack of representation of the colonies in government. When those negotiations failed he returned to Philadelphia. Soon after his return the revolutionary war began.
Franklin became a prominent political figure in Philadelphia, and later in the revolution and building of the constitution. (Benjamin Franklin, 2013) In Philadelphia he served as the Justice of the Peace, the Pennsylvania delegate in many of the colonial union meetings, organized the Pennsylvania Militia, Speaker and Member of the Pennsylvania Assembly, President of Pennsylvania (later the state governors position), US Minister to France and Sweden, and the first US Postmaster General. Franklin was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Franklin had a profound sense of humor. It is said that he in replying to a comment from John Hancock inferring they must all hang together, “ Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately." After the Revolutionary War Franklin was a prominent voice in the creation of the U.S. Constitution. He was a well respected diplomat as US Minister to France where is it said he had multiple romantic relationships.
Benjamin Franklin lived a long life dying at the age of 84 in 1790. (Benjamin Franklin biography, 2013) During his life time he was able to witness and take part in many notable historical events. He was born in the British Colonies that were becoming restless with the rule of Great Britain, specifically the heavy taxation when there was not any representation in the government for the colonies. In the changing era the colonies united (Franklin was a firm advocate of this) to create a new sovereign nation that was in need of leadership. Franklin was a founding father and prominent leader in this new government. His leadership is one of his many contributions to the America and humanity. His other contributions include his inventions and scientific exploration. He is credited for his experimentation in electrical currents including his invention of the lightening rod. He invented the bifocals and the Franklin stove, founded or held office in many programs that benefited the better of society including the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery where he was president. (Foner, 2012)
Thomas Jefferson
Like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson also lived and acted as a prominent leader during the revolution and into infancy of the newly formed United States. Thomas Jefferson was born into a family of means and grew up with the privilege of a college education and ultimately studied law. (Thomas Jefferson Biography) By his early 20’s he was already one of the most learned lawyers in America winning many of the cases he tried. He married a wealthy widow Martha Wayles Skelton, together they had six children but only two survived past childhood. His political career started with be beginnings of the Revolutionary War, where he along with fellow Virginians, Patrick Henry and George Washington were all firm supporters of American Independence. In 1776 Jefferson along with Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, John Adams and Robert Livingston were appointed to draft the Declaration of Independence. The Committee of Five selected Jefferson to author the first draft of the declaration. Jefferson would draft what is known as a piece of “art” in literary terms that demonstrates the power of liberty and equality.
After the Declaration of Independence Jefferson held many public offices including the Governor of Virginia, Vice President of the United Sates, and finally President of the United States. After his time as Governor, Jefferson left the political arena to care for his family and his large plantations. He fell back into the public life after the death of his wife Martha Jefferson. In 1783 Jefferson lead the Virginia delegation for the Confederation Congress. Two years later he replaced Benjamin Franklin as the US minister to France. Upon his return from France he found George Washington had been elected President of the United States. Washington asked Jefferson to accept a seat in his cabinet as Secretary of State and Jefferson accepted the position. Washington’s Secretary of Treasury was Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson and Hamilton were complete opposites in their political opinions; this political battle ultimately drove Jefferson to resign from his position as Secretary of State. (Thomas Jefferson) Thomas Jefferson would later run for presidency against John Adams, but loses and becomes Vice President. After John Adam’s terms Jefferson again runs for presidency against Aaron Burr. He becomes the third president of the United States of America in 1801 and service in that office for two terms.
Jefferson leaves a legacy that includes the Louisiana Purchase, repopulation of books for the library of congress, he was the founder of the University of Virginia and he is well known as an eloquent writer. (Thomas Jefferson Biography) He was instrumental in laying out the Declaration of Independence and in fighting for democracy for the America. Jefferson was a private man, and historians have labeled him as someone with many inconsistencies. (Thomas Jefferson Biography ID 12, 2013) He was against slavery, but never fought for abolition. He did not believe in politics, but was one of the dominant political figures of his time. He died on July 4, 1826 at the age of 83. Some of his last words to family and friends were
“I have done for my country, and for all mankind, all that I could do, and I now resign my soul, without fear, to my God, – my daughter to my country”
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Unlike Franklin and Jefferson, Harriet Beecher Stowe was alive in the Civil War era. Jefferson and Franklin may have set the pace for many of the events that took place during Stowe’s life; she set the pace on delivering awareness on the repulsion of slavery in the United States. Harriet Beecher Stowe was born in 1811 in Litchfield, Connecticut. She grew up in a family that widely supported education. Her sister Catherine Beecher was influential in shaping Harriet’s views. (Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe by Harriet Beecher Stowe, 2004) Harriet attended a school ran by her sister that provided education that was usually reserved for men only. Harriet would also teach at the school with her sister later in life. Her other sister, Isabella was a leader of women’s rights, and her brother Henry Ward Beecher was a famous leader. When she was 21 she moved with her family to Cincinnati, OH where her father Dr. Lyman Beecher became the head of the Lane Theological Seminary. It was there she met her husband Calvin Ellis Stowe. She and Calvin had seven children, but her second to youngest died as a child. Both Harriet and her husband shared in the belief of abolition. Due the passing of the Fugitive Slave Law Harriet express her outrage by writing about slavery. She based her novel on the life Josiah Henson and her own personal experiences, and called it Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The book was originally released in installments in the National Era. Due to the literature’s popularity it was released as a book and became a best seller selling more than 300,000 copies in the first year. (Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin)
Stowe created sympathy toward the oppression of slaves by detailing their suffering which includes families that are separated, the harsh treatment of slaves including the beating to death of her main character Tom. (Uncle Tom's Cabin, 2011) She, her brother and husband also helped fugitive slaves reach their freedom in Canada. Stowe had critics that accused her of inaccurately creating images of slavery in the south; in response Stowe created a key where she presented the original facts and documents. (Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin) By writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin Stowe contributed to the civil war by personalizing the political and the economical arguments around slavery, in a way that politicians or newspapers could not. (Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin) It is said that President Lincoln greeted Stowe by saying “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that started this Great War”. This novel found a place in American history, and is known around the world as it has been translated into 60 different languages. It helped the country face a complicated challenge that for centuries the nation was unable to confront.
All these leaders created institutions and writings that were devoted the improvement of mankind. They all had a deep moral compass that they were able to effectively articulate their causes through. While living in slightly different eras they all were opposed to slavery. All three of these individuals were well educated and were advocates for continuing education. Each left their stamp on society that is still noticed today.