(Also for Three Word Wednesday and ABC Wednesday: "M" is for "Master")
Speaking of clocks, and time, let me tell you about a couple of kids I find
fascinating.
Meet Benny and Jenny, a brother and sister combo who
lived quite a while back in time – two centuries or more in fact – and whose existence
illustrates vividly what lives were like in those old days.
First, the boy.
As a kid he had a pretty dreadful time. One
of 17 – that’s seventeen – children
(he was the youngest), he had to drop out of school at the age of ten and go to
work.
But if he had it rough, consider his sister. Girls then often didn’t receive much of an
education; they had a different function.
They were supposed to have babies.
Sis complied; she got married and had twelve children. She never got to do much of anything but take
care of her kids. After that she took
care of her grandchildren and then of her great-grandchildren. That was her life.
As for her brother, he handled the fact that he had
little education neatly; he educated himself.
And he became a polymath. That,
by the way, is not a parrot that can add and subtract, it’s a guy who sustains mastery of a number of subjects.
He and his sister loved each other and wrote
regularly over a period of many years.
Some say she was the only person he ever really did love.
As the word “master” suggests, he hastily went on to compile
quite a resume. He was a musician (who
invented new musical instruments).
He wrote a regular column in a newspaper at a time when
there weren’t many columns – or, as far as that goes, many newspapers. He was a politician, an inventor and
satirist. As a scientist, he was a major
figure in the history of physics for his discoveries regarding electricity. He served his country as a diplomat.
He kept, in other words, fairly busy.
He was known for his many “sayings,” inspirational and motivational quotes
about everything in life. One I like
very much could serve as a motto for us, today’s bloggers: “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
J
That's his bio. What’s his name?(Also submitted to Sunday Scribblings)
39 comments:
Benjamin Franklin it is! A giveaway this week, Berowne. Yeah, had it tough the previous weeks!
Hank
Apropos of Ben Franklin (Benny and Jenny, indeed!), THIS.
Benjamin Franklin is Benny!
Karen S, kaykuala and Roger Owen Green have started us off with the right answer.
B. Franklin
Benjamin Franklin...
It's an odd shop you run here, Berowne.....Ben Franklin.
I believe that would be Mr. Franklin. Love it.
Four more "winners" - folks with the correct answer: naturgesetz, Tess Kincaid, Leaz and Kim Adams Morgan.
I think this is Benjamin Franklin.
Good ol Thomas Edison?
Benjamin Franklin! First answer was totally wrong.....
Benjamin Franklin (but I admit I cheated..thank you for the clue..and the education)..
Ben Franklin, but he was the youngest son not the youngest child.
His name is Benjamin Franklin.
What a lineup! Reader Wil, New York Erratic, Jae Rose, Kathe W (who changed her mind about Edison)and Doc FTSE all have the right answer.
:) haha .. you made it easy for us this time.. definitely someone inspirational.. Ben Franklin..
oh Berowne....what would we do without you? Such lovely educations!
Lady in Read is the latest to provide the right answer. Who's next?
Benjamin Franklin
Well, it's not Spike Milligan - so it has to be Benjamin Franklin, I would say.
Lord Byron ?
Altonian and Frankie Jay are the two latest to cough up the correct answer.
Benjamin Franklin? If so Berowne, clicking on 'the saying' provides the answer...
Kind regards
Anna :o]
Another with the right answer: hyperCRYPTICal. Who's next?
Benjamin Franklin, but I learned something about his sister!
I feel like I should know this but alas I can't think of it. Carver, ABC Wed. Team
I'm thinking Benjamin Franklin?
Benjamin Franklin...
Really interesting post this week. I loved it and learned...but I do believe I know the answer...Who is Benjamin Franklin?
Check out the latest FOUR who provided us with the right answer: Meryl, Hildred, Leslie and old egg.
Benjamin Franklin I believe!
Uberrhund has just joined us with the correct answer.
Oh, this has to be dear old Ben Franklin, inventor of the stove and noteworthy for one of my favorite quotes: "We must hang together, or we will surely hang separately!" Nice, Berowne! Amy
Another right answer, this time from Sharp Little Pencil.
Benjamin Franklin. That's my guess :D
Fascinating read, but I haven't a clue!
Benjamin Franklin also known for a Penny saved a penny earned.
Congrats to Tracy Crenshaw and Sheilagh Lee for the correct answer.
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