Mary Michels

Hist137
Professor McDaniel
Annotated Bibliography
02/15/2020

“The Ideas of Benjamin Franklin.” ​Ushistory.org​, Independence Hall Association,

www.ushistory.org/us/4d.asp.

Ben Franklin was born in 1706 in colonial Boston. Franklin was a highly intelligent man,
he is the inventor of countless inventions such as; the wood burning stove, bifocal
glasses and most importantly he is known for his work with electricity. He was an
apprentice to his older brother, James, who was a printer, however Ben Franklin ran
away to Philadelphia when he was seventeen years of age; he lived in Philadelphia for
twenty-seven years. Benjamin devoted much of his life to philanthropic and other
intellectual pursuits. While residing in Philadelphia, Franklin established a library, fire
house, hospital, and he also founded the College of Philadelphia - which is now known
as the University of Philadelphia - this is known as one of the finest institutions of higher
level education in the world.

History.com Editors. “Enlightenment.” ​History.com​, A&E Television Networks, 16 Dec. 2009,

www.history.com/topics/british-history/enlightenment.

The Enlightenment started in 1685 through 1815. It is commonly divided into three
periods - The Early Enlightenment (1685-1730), The High Enlightenment (1730-1780),
and The Late Enlightenment and Beyond (1780-1815). It was based upon European
politics, philosophy, science, and communications. During the Enlightenment period
numerous books, essays, scientific discoveries, inventions, laws and revolutionaries.

The Early Enlightenment was traced to England in the 1680s where in the span of three
years Isaac Newton published his “Principia Mathematica” in 1686 and also John Locke
in 1689 with his “Essay Concerning Human Understanding”; these two works were the
base of the scientific, mathematical and philosophical advances for the future. The Early
Enlightenment included others such as; Englishmen Francis Bacon and Thomas
Hobbes; Frenchman Rene Descartes and others including Galileo Galilei.

The High Enlightenment was described best by Voltaire’s “Philosophical Dictionary” - as

“a chaos of clear ideas.” It received this name because it centered around the dialogues
and publications of many French “philosophes” including Voltaire, Montesquieu, Buffon
an Dennis Diderot, and Rousseau. During this period the publication of “Encyclopedie”
written by the Diderot’s in 1751 until 1777. Another important detail that happened during
 the time frame of the High Enlightenment is the “Declaration of Independence” written by
Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson in 1776.

The Late Enlightenment and Beyond was the time of the French Revolution of 1789 and
then led to the rise of Napoleon.

“Franklin, Benjamin.” ​Franklin, Benjamin - Enlightenment Revolution​,

enlightenment-revolution.org/index.php/Franklin,_Benjamin.

Benjamin Franklin played a big role in the government; after losing the 1764 election, he
accepted reappointment as Pennsylvania’s representative and went back to live in
London for eleven years. In 1765, Benjamin Franklin was part of the committee that
approved Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence. Ben also
campaigned against the Stamp Act - that was later repealed in 1766.

When Franklin retired he was the oldest delegate to the Constitutional Congress of
1787. He spent his retirement writing and campaigning against slavery.

Benjamin died April 17, 1790; he was a remarkable man and the greatest member of a
generation of remarkable leaders for America.

“Age of Enlightenment Overview.” ​History Crunch - History Articles, Summaries, Biographies,

Resources and More​, www.historycrunch.com/age-of-enlightenment-overview.html#/.

The Enlightenment was a time of great change that occured in the eighteenth century.
The Enlightenment involved famous thinkers and philosophers who changed the basic
foundations of society - which included, the role of the government and basic human
nature.