Early Life of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston in what was then the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was born into a large family as the 15th child and youngest son of Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger.
Family Background
Josiah Franklin was originally from England, having emigrated to America in 1682. He was a soap and candle maker. Josiah had seven children with his first wife, and after her death, he married Abiah Folger from the Folger family, with whom he had ten more children. This brought the total to 17 children in the Franklin household, providing Benjamin with a bustling and lively family environment.
Education and Early Interests
Benjamin's formal education was limited due to the vast size of his family and his father's moderate economic means. Nevertheless, he was a voracious reader from a young age, which laid the foundation for his future achievements. His love for reading was so profound that he saved every penny he could to buy books, borrowing whenever possible from friends.
At the age of 16, Benjamin adopted a vegetarian diet partly due to ethical reasons and partly to save money to fund his reading habits. This early decision to become vegetarian highlights his youthful inclination towards frugality and intellectual curiosity.
Career Beginnings
Josiah intended for Benjamin to enter the clergy, owing to his place as the youngest son. However, recognizing Benjamin's lack of interest in formal religious pursuits, coupled with his intellectual curiosity, Josiah instead apprenticed him to his brother James, who was a printer. This apprenticeship would become a pivotal point in Benjamin's life, steering him towards a career in printing and eventually leading him to become one of America's leading publishers.