Sunday, October 6, 2013

189 Quiz Answer

Answer: The noted polymath, Benjamin Franklin, was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. 

(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:

kaykuala said...

Benjamin Franklin it is! A giveaway this week, Berowne. Yeah, had it tough the previous weeks!

Hank

Roger Owen Green said...

Apropos of Ben Franklin (Benny and Jenny, indeed!), THIS.

21 Wits said...

Benjamin Franklin is Benny!

Berowne said...

Karen S, kaykuala and Roger Owen Green have started us off with the right answer.

naturgesetz said...

B. Franklin

Tess Kincaid said...

Benjamin Franklin...

Loxly said...

It's an odd shop you run here, Berowne.....Ben Franklin.

Kim Adams Morgan said...

I believe that would be Mr. Franklin. Love it.

Berowne said...

Four more "winners" - folks with the correct answer: naturgesetz, Tess Kincaid, Leaz and Kim Adams Morgan.








Doctor FTSE said...

I think this is Benjamin Franklin.

Kathe W. said...

Good ol Thomas Edison?

Kathe W. said...

Benjamin Franklin! First answer was totally wrong.....

Jae Rose said...

Benjamin Franklin (but I admit I cheated..thank you for the clue..and the education)..

New York Erratic said...

Ben Franklin, but he was the youngest son not the youngest child.

Reader Wil said...

His name is Benjamin Franklin.

Berowne said...

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.

Lady In Read said...

:) haha .. you made it easy for us this time.. definitely someone inspirational.. Ben Franklin..

Kathe W. said...

oh Berowne....what would we do without you? Such lovely educations!

Berowne said...

Lady in Read is the latest to provide the right answer. Who's next?

Frankie Jay said...

Benjamin Franklin

Altonian said...

Well, it's not Spike Milligan - so it has to be Benjamin Franklin, I would say.

Silent Otto said...

Lord Byron ?

Berowne said...

Altonian and Frankie Jay are the two latest to cough up the correct answer.

hyperCRYPTICal said...

Benjamin Franklin? If so Berowne, clicking on 'the saying' provides the answer...
Kind regards
Anna :o]

Berowne said...

Another with the right answer: hyperCRYPTICal. Who's next?





Old Egg said...

Benjamin Franklin, but I learned something about his sister!

Carver said...

I feel like I should know this but alas I can't think of it. Carver, ABC Wed. Team

Leslie: said...

I'm thinking Benjamin Franklin?

Hildred said...

Benjamin Franklin...

Meryl said...

Really interesting post this week. I loved it and learned...but I do believe I know the answer...Who is Benjamin Franklin?

Berowne said...

Check out the latest FOUR who provided us with the right answer: Meryl, Hildred, Leslie and old egg.

Anonymous said...

Benjamin Franklin I believe!

Berowne said...

Uberrhund has just joined us with the correct answer.

Sharp Little Pencil said...

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

Berowne said...

Another right answer, this time from Sharp Little Pencil.

Tracy Crenshaw said...

Benjamin Franklin. That's my guess :D

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Fascinating read, but I haven't a clue!

Sheilagh Lee said...

Benjamin Franklin also known for a Penny saved a penny earned.

Berowne said...

Congrats to Tracy Crenshaw and Sheilagh Lee for the correct answer.

 
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