Benjamin’s influence on American colonial life was so pervasive that it’s rather doubtful that the United States of America would have been created without him. Moreover, there’s no doubt that his ambassadorship to France led to French military assistance that resulted in General George Washington’s (1732 – 1799) ‘s victory at Yorktown, where the final battle of the Revolutionary War was fought. He shall be always remembered as the first American.
His Poor Richard’s Almanac was a best-seller in Colonial America. If you really want to know his thoughts, it’s a must-read.
As stated in his autobiography, his 13 Virtues are as follows:
“Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.”
“Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.”
“Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.”
“Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.”
“Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.”
“Industry. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.”
“Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.”
“Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”
“Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.”
“Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.”
“Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.”
“Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.”
“Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”
Freemason Benjamin sponsored Thomas Paine’s emigration to the British American colonies after a Royal Society Fellow introduced Paine to him in London in 1774. Thomas may have been only too pleased to have accepted the invitation as his brand of political radicalism caused his Royalist detractors to ruin both his family life and his financial circumstances. He may also rightly perceive he may not have been too far away from more dire persecution if he remained in England. Bearing Franklin’s letter of recommendation, he subsequently arrived in Philadelphia on November 30, 1774.
Benjamin perceived Thomas as potentially playing an important role as a revolutionary pamphleteer after reading his 22-page article entitled The Case of the Officers of Excise. Published in 1772, the pamphlet verged on expressing outright sedition toward the Crown concerning its treatment of workers. Ben’s sage assessment of his writing ability proved prescient since his widely-circulated American Crisis series of pamphlets inspired the minds and souls of soldiers and civilians to ever greater service to the Continental Army before and during the war. The success of the pamphlet series is the reason Thomas is regarded as the Father of The American Revolution.
His role as the principal diplomat representing the entreaty for material military assistance for the Continental Army from France and allied concerns cannot be overestimated. In point of fact, his effort to enlist the support of François de Rohan-Polduc (1725 – 1797) Grand Master of the Order of Malta may well be considered his greatest contribution and last in that capacity to the victory of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War.
He’s ranked #368 in Hart’s Most Influential People in History – Top 500 List (125).
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14 Founding Fathers of the United States of America
Marshal Jean-Baptiste de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau (1725 – 1807)
Marquis de Lafayette (1757 – 1834)
Benjamin Franklin
Birth 17 Jan 1706 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA
Death 17 Apr 1790 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Ancestry.com citation/Lineages
13th cousin 5x removed FOLGER-GIBBS-ELMY-LAWRENCE-WELLS-MOWBRAY-HOWARD-WOOD-COLLINS
husband of wife of 3rd cousin 8x removed READ-ROGERS-WOODWORTH-MERRITT-SIMMONS-COLLINS
brother-in-law of 7th cousin 14x removed DAVENPORT-WARREN-BARTLETT-SPRAGUE-TRIPP-OUTWATER-COLLINS
SOURCES
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin
The Autobiography and Other Writings
Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin
Fart Proudly: Writings of Benjamin Franklin You Never Read in School
Benjamin Franklin: Revolutionary Inventor
The Patricians, A Genealogical Study – Ebook Editions US$5.95
Steven Wood Collins (1952 – ) Antiquarian, Genealogist, Novelist
The Patricians Genealogical Research Foundation 
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