"Some historians say that to focus on the personality of a famous figure is to neglect the context in which he/she lived. My argument is that personality provides a way to attract students to history because it allows them to make a personal connection to the past." - Joe Illick
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin, born in Boston,
Moved to Philly, a printer lost in
His work, his books, his many friends --
A civic man whose means served ends.
A scientist, he flew his kite,
And as it reached a shocking height
Discovered he
‘lectricity!
When the magic kite came down
This Philadelphian left town
For London, later Paris too,
First diplomat our nation knew.
At home he seldom was resident;
He returned too old to be president.
But he had toured Europe in his coonskin cap,
And thus he bridged the Atlantic gap.
Moved to Philly, a printer lost in
His work, his books, his many friends --
A civic man whose means served ends.
A scientist, he flew his kite,
And as it reached a shocking height
Discovered he
‘lectricity!
When the magic kite came down
This Philadelphian left town
For London, later Paris too,
First diplomat our nation knew.
At home he seldom was resident;
He returned too old to be president.
But he had toured Europe in his coonskin cap,
And thus he bridged the Atlantic gap.