BenjaminFranklin.ppt

Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790 这张绿纸的学名叫“一百美元券”，有1988年版和1996年两个版本。一百美元正面头像并非美国总统，而是美国著名科学家、政治家、金融家本杰明· 富兰克林的头像。此人是资本主义精神最完美的代表。 I. A Brief Introduction He was one of the?Founding Fathers of the United States. As a noted?polymath 博学者 , he was a leading author, printer,?political theorist,?politician,?postmaster（邮政局长）, scientist, musician, inventor,?satirist, civic activist, and?diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the?American Enlightenment?and the?history of physics?for his discoveries and theories regarding?electricity. He invented the?lightning rod ,?bifocals 双重焦点透镜 , the?Franklin stove, a carriage?odometer里程表, and the?glass armonica 玻璃口琴.?He facilitated many civic organizations, including a fire department 消防队 and a university. Franklin earned the title of “The First American” for his early and indefatigable campaigning for?colonial unity; as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies, then as the first?United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation.?Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos （民族精神） as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education,?community spirit （团体精神）, self-governing institutions, and opposition to?authoritarianism?both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the?Enlightenment. Franklin, always proud of his working class roots, became a successful newspaper editor and printer in?Philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies. He became wealthy publishing?Poor Richard’s Almanack?。《穷理查德历书》 Franklin gained international renown as a scientist for his famous experiments in electricity and for his many inventions, especially the lightning rod. He played a major role in establishing the University of Pennsylvania?and was elected the first president of the?American Philosophical Society. Franklin became a national hero in America when he spearheaded the effort to have?Parliament repeal the unpopular?Stamp Act印花税法案. An accomplished di