This is my second history paper of the semester, and I got really into writing it. There is so much to research about Benjamin Franklin, and hell...if he was an occultist...that makes him even fucking cooler. \m/ Had I given myself more than a day to write the paper, it probably would have gotten far more in depth, but I exceeded the assigned page limit. I was trying to go for more than the same old song and dance about Franklin, and I feel like I somewhat achieved it. As always, posting papers into here from word fucks with the formatting (I am sure there is a way to get around that, but fuck it). Citations are in the paper because it is a research paper, so if you want the references for your own research, just ask.
The First Great American Hero
One of the first noticeable traits of Benjamin Franklin on a hundred dollar bill is his smirk. Just in this one piece of evidence, Franklin appears to be an ordinary common man. Herman Melville wrote of his experience with Benjamin in Israel Potter, describing Ben in life and how he, “could act any part in it . . . printer, postmaster, almanac maker, essayist, chemist, orator, tinker, statesman, humorist, philosopher, parlorman, political economist, professor of housewifery, ambassador, projector, maxim-monger, herb-doctor, wit” (Wood 6). Though this passage is quite amusing, history proves this statement to be true: Benjamin Franklin was not only a founding father, but a common man and also the first great American hero.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17th, 1706, Benjamin Franklin was not necessarily born for greatness (Wood 17). Franklin was the 15th of seventeen children to his father Josiah, and the 8th of his mother Abiah Folger. He was born into an age where all efforts were adorned onto the first born son, and as Benjamin satirically put it in his autobiography, “I was the youngest son of the youngest son five generations back” (Franklin 7). Like most parents in the 18th century, Ben’s parents had aspirations of him joining a ministry; however, he was too full of wonder and thought. He questioned and needed concrete evidence on everything he encountered (Dillon 3).
Though not uncommon in the 18th century, Benjamin only attended two years of formal education (Dillon 3). Many of the founding fathers did not even attend college, much like Franklin. Instead, Josiah tried to get Ben involved in apprenticeship soap and candle making. Much like today, trades and apprenticeships were common among men. Benjamin was far too bookish for such a thing and was very discontented. Josiah switched Benjamin’s trade to printing, which is far more laboring than it sounds. Ben was built for it: nearly six feet tall, strong, and broad shouldered (Wood 19). Liberal arts were Benjamin’s passion, and he read any book he could get his hands on. He self-educated himself, and found that his staple was in the Socratic Method (Dillon 3).
While living in Philadelphia, Benjamin still a poor printer, was encouraged to join families and their affairs. This is where he met his future wife, Deborah Read. In Franklin’s Autobiography, he refers to pitying Deborah saying that she was, “dejected, seldom cheerful, and avoided company” (Franklin 68). Upon a suggestion by Miss Read’s mother to accumulate more money before he marry her daughter, Benjamin headed to London. While in London and still engaged to Deborah, Benjamin laid with many low women, which he excused as a part of youth (Wood 29). After her previous husbands passing, whom she married while Ben was away in London, Benjamin and Deborah married.
Though it appears that he did not really love Deborah, Benjamin spoke somewhat highly of her, “she proved a good and faithful helpmate, assisted me much by attending the shop; we throve together, and have ever mutually endeavored to make each other happy” (Franklin 69). They had very few children, one son who was illegitimate that Deborah treated very poorly, a son that died at the age of four from smallpox, and a daughter whom in the end cared for Franklin on his death bed. Benjamin adored his children, and frequently spoiled his son (Wood 52).
Throughout his entire life, Benjamin claimed to emulate Socrates, embracing Socrates’s humility and admittance that the human race does not know all there is to know (Dillon 41). Franklin devoted himself to character and virtues, living as a thoughtful and well reasoned man. He was dedicated to his spiritual energies as opposed to living by spiritual standards.
Benjamin believed in the development of virtue and character, which he laid out in his autobiography. His fourteen values he strived to live by 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 extreams; 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 dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation, Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates” (Franklin 83-84). Though a ridiculously long quote, it is important to know where Benjamin Franklin stood. How he perceived and upheld values, virtues, and character. He took his internal spirituality just as seriously as anyone who praised gods.
It is not surprising that Franklin was somewhat of an inventor being that he was a man that had universal ability. He invented the lightening rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove (Wood 3). Though these inventions are commonly noted about Franklin, they are indeed not his greatest accomplishments or endeavors.
Benjamin was a well known Freemason, and Mason’s are known to believe in a Supreme Being without having to declare what they really believe the Supreme Being to be. Mason’s also believe in free will, which is what much of the Declaration of Independence is based on. For example, Freemasonry is stated as being, “Under the banner of liberty, equality, and brotherhood, and with the goal of bettering mankind through advances in wisdom and practical philanthropy, it blended science, mysticism, literature, philosophy, theology and politics, and provided men of all classes with a society in which they might meet as equals” (Wunder 58). To many, this statement could be construed to be similar to the Declaration of Independence and the United States as a whole. It is unclear as to whether government mocks masonry or masonry mocks government. The subject is up for individual interpretation.
Although Benjamin Franklin is a founding father of the United States, and it appears that he lived by values; there is another much more controversial and conspiracy type side to the life of Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin himself wrote in the Poor Richards Almanac, “Historians relate, not so much what is done, as what they would have believed” (Hieronimus 5). The Poor Richards Almanac is what made Franklin his fortune and was largely composed of proverbs, astrology, and scientific medicine. People looked to this information as a way of life and the almanac was just as prevalent as the bible in many homes. The upper class of people, including Franklin and many of the founding fathers, formed secret societies to protect this wealth of knowledge. One of these secret societies is the Illuminati order. The Illuminati has three confirmed founding fathers, Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams (Hieronimus 23-24).
While the ideas of the Illuminati being in control of government and establishing “New World Order” could be merely a conspiracy theory, it is hard to look past what evidence tells us. The Illuminati were formed during the age of enlightenment, and that is exactly what it stands for. Most of what is available about the Illuminati that is not shrouded in mystery is that members offer themselves as servants of Satan to obtain wealth and power. Not only are they servants of Satan, but they give offerings of human sacrifice.
How could our beloved Benjamin Franklin: founding father, humorist, and common man have anything to do with an occult? Franklin, a man of his own free will, was involved in several secret societies and was never ashamed to admit it. One of the notorious ones is the Hellfire Club that conducted black masses and orgies. In an article published in the London Times on February 11th, 1998, claims to an astonishing discovery were made. The bodies of ten people, 6 of them children, were found buried deep beneath Franklin’s home during a renovation. There are doubts that it was Franklin himself that was involved, but rather a doctor friend whom Benjamin allowed to stay in his home while he was away (Irish Times).
Information on Benjamin’s involvement in secret societies is often over looked, and scholarly information on the topic is very scarce. Making the idea seemingly false, but none the less interesting. There is little doubt in that Benjamin Franklin, who passed away after a long and successful life in 1790, was a man who meant well and wanted happiness for all people (Franklin 174). Whether it is because of Franklin’s efforts in American culture, government, or common life: he is still seen as a great and cherished American to this day. John Adams once profoundly and spot on referred to Benjamin as, “One of the most curious characters in history” (Wood 2). Benjamin Franklin’s ideals and character may have been before its time, but his influence reigns on in American culture.
