The Founding Grandfather

The Founding Grandfather By Elton Camp Ask “What did Benjamin Franklin do?” Find that most can recall only one or two. “Poor Richard’s Almanac he did write,” Or else, “He’s that guy who flew the kite.” The facts of history are growing dim If that’s all that’s remembered of him. In the colonies, since books were so rare. To organize the first library he did care. Because fires were not easy to control, The first city fire department did mold. A fire might a family’s finances wipe out, So he brought the first fire insurance about. Fireplaces in homes allowed people to freeze. “There must be a better way to heat than these.” To that end, he successfully strove And developed the Franklin stove. Because his stove was for the public good, He refused to take out a patent as he could. When to age people had to concede, His bifocal glasses met their need. Declaration of Independence he helped compose It was by a group of five and he was one of those. Most of it came from Thomas Jefferson’s mind, But Benjamin Franklin helped the words to refine. Minister he was made to France. The colonies cause to advance. The king said, “I think Ben’s so funny That I’ll gladly lend the needed money. But it would be incomplete to fail to say That the elderly statesman had feet of clay. He was only a young man When his misconduct began. “This boy is my own son, no doubt, But his mother I know little about.” In his autobiography is advice That certainly isn’t all that nice. He told men what was the trick When a mistress they did pick. “Great Whoremaster” was his name Even to those who admired his fame. Of the Founders he was the oldest, Though also one of the very boldest. So Benjamin Franklin it wouldn’t bother To call him the “Founding Grandfather.”