Walter Isaacson. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life.
New York: Simon and Schuster Paperbacks, 2003.
As reviewed by Ted Odenwald
To arrive at an accurate picture of Benjamin Franklin, claims biographer Walter Isaacson, “we must rescue [him] from the schoolbook caricature of a genial codger flying kites…and spouting homespun maxims… [and from] critics who would confine him with the character he carefully crafted in his Autobiography.” We must not view him, as some commentators have, as the personification of the American character, but rather as a representative of “…one side of a national dichotomy that has existed since the days when he and Jonathan Edwards stood as contrasting cultural figures.” Edwards spoke of an “anointed elect and salvation through God’s grace alone.” Franklin spoke of salvation through good works. While Edwards’ world view promoted religious rigidity and a “sense of social class and hierarchy,” Franklin felt that religion should be benevolent and tolerant; he was “unabashedly striving and upwardly mobile.”—with a vision of an American national character based on “the virtues and values of the middle class.”
Isaacson traces Franklin’s amazing series of vocations and avocations, beginning with his apprenticeship as a printer for his brother in Boston; he eventually owned his own print shop in Philadelphia, where he developed his skills as a social commentator, journalist, and satirist. Demonstrating remarkable energy and creativity, he immersed himself in a number of scientific experiments and inventions, revealing that he was more brilliant in dealing with practical exercises than he was in wallowing in theoretical abstractions.
He considered himself a loyal British subject for many years. His initial political battles were against Pennsylvania’s proprietors, the Penns; Franklin strove to have Pennsylvania recognized and treated as a regular colony of the British Empire. His anger was driven in part by the proprietors’ refusal to be taxed to support the formation of Pennsylvania’s militia, whose primary responsibility was to defend the citizens of the proprietors’ lands. Franklin made a number of appearances in England on behalf of both his territory and the colonies as a whole. But after a series of personal slights from British royalty and from the Tory politicians, and after an increasing number of affronts by the parliament’s refusal to grant the colonies equal representation as British subjects, Franklin joined with America’s radicals in demanding and then proclaiming independence.
During our Revolutionary War, Franklin played a key role as an ambassador to France, being instrumental in getting French military and financial support in the colonies’ quest for independence—support that was essential for America’s victory. Additionally, Franklin was directly involved in the creation of three great documents, which were milestones in the freedom process: the Declaration of Independence, the formal alliance with France, and the eventual peace treaty with England. Isaacson details the complicated negotiations that led to the creation of these documents, each process being a tribute to Franklin’s diplomatic genius.
Isaacson reveals that Franklin was a significant contributor to the Constitutional Convention. Although he was 81 years old, the eldest representative by 15 years, and nearly twice the age of the average representative, he was instrumental in getting the strongly divided body to reach several compromises. The author cites three “unique and crucial strengths” that made Franklin’s contributions indispensable. First, he was comfortable with democracy, favoring direct elections, trusting the average citizen, and resisting elitism. Second, because of his extensive travels, he knew all the states and had visited several foreign powers. And third, “…he embodied a spirit of Enlightenment tolerance and pragmatic compromise.”
Isaacson speaks in depth about many of Franklin’s personal relationships—relationships which help to reveal the complexity of his character. Of particular interest are his dealings with John Adams, his fellow “commissioner” serving in France. There was a lot of animosity in this relationship, particularly on the side of the jealous, insecure Adams, who accused Franklin of being an immoral atheist. A third member of the American contingent was Arthur Lee, an irascible troublemaker who undermined many of Franklin’s peace efforts. Franklin’s relationship with Thomas Jefferson was much more positive and productive. Franklin’s connections with his own family are puzzling. He expressed his devotion to his wife, yet his long absences (many of which were not required) and his impersonal, almost business-like, letters suggest that there was something amiss. Franklin and son William were political enemies during the Revolution; William, as Governor of New Jersey, was a British loyalist; Benjamin disowned his son, and refused to seek amnesty for him when William was imprisoned. Benjamin’s strongest familial bonding appeared to be with his two grandsons, whom he brought with him to Europe. Interestingly, Franklin’s strongest bonds were with women—and there were several of them, most notably his landlady in London, a Mrs. Stevenson, who was his occasional companion; Polly Stevenson, the landlady’s daughter with who he had a long-term flirtatious relationship; Caty Ray of New England, with whom he had a flirtatious relationship; and two French aristocrats who were his “dear friends.”
Benjamin Franklin was one of the most colorful of our founding fathers. Always resistant to authority figures, he grew gradually in the knowledge that to achieve respect, the colonies would have to separate from England and the king, whom he had served as a loyal subject for decades. As a communicator, state representative, and ambassador, he had a unique tolerance for others’ opinions, a humble sense of human frailties (including his own), a sense of the potential greatness and virtues of middle-class man, and deep trust in the future of the colonies, united in a common cause.
Ted Odenwald and his wife, Shirley have lived in Oakland for 40 years. He taught HS English at Glen Rock High School for all of those years plus one more. Now he is enjoying time spent with his family, singing in the North Jersey Chorus and quenching his wanderlust. Ted is also the Worship Leader at the Ramapo Valley Baptist Church in Oakland.