美国文学——Benjamin Franklin课件幻灯片课件.ppt

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790 ) Benjamin Franklin(1706-1790 ) Benjamin Franklin was not only one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a leading writer, publisher, inventor, diplomat, scientist, and philosopher. He is well-known for his experiments with electricity and lightning, and for publishing Poor Richards Almanac and the Pennsylvania Gazette. He served as Postmaster General under the Continental Congress, and later became a prominent abolitionist. He is credited with inventing the lightning rod, the Franklin Stove, and bifocals. Benjamin Franklin(1706-1790 ) Life: Jack of all trades Literary works Benjamin Franklin and The Autobiography Life: Jack of all trades Born in a poor candle maker’s family in Boston No regular education Became a apprentice of a printer when he was 12 A editor of a newspaper and published lots of essays when he was 16 Went to Philadelphia when he was 17 A successful printer and publisher Retired when he was 42 A scientist with lots of inventions and a famous experiment (kite, electricity, thunderstorm) A famous statesman (the only America who once signed all the four documents that created the new country) An example who made American Dream come true Literary works Poor Richard’s Almanac《穷查理的年历》 Modeled on farmers’ annual calendar; kept publishing for many years; includes many classical sayings, such as “A penny saved is a penny earned.” The Autobiography: