Chapter IX Summary and Analysis

Franklin instituted a public school system, which used the building that Mr. Whitefield built. The school was a great success and eventually it became the University of Philadelphia and much later, the University of Pennsylvania. By this time, Franklin had sold off most of his businesses, though he was still on the payroll to receive profit shares from them. He now had "leisure" to pursue his most obsessive interest——the pursuit of perpetual knowledge. Franklin was intrigued by "Dr. Spence's" demonstration of electrical power and set off to learn more for himself. He bought Dr. Spence's equipment to have better hands-on knowledge. Franklin's civic duties kept him from pursuing his studies.

In 1751, a friend of Franklin's, Dr. Bond, proposed the idea of a town hospital. Franklin spoke on the doctor's behalf. Benjamin appealed to the Assembly for...