Josiah Franklin Character Analysis in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Franklin’s father, a candle and soapmaker (“Tallow Chandler and Sope-Boiler”). He was a man with a strong physical build, was of average height, could draw well, sing prettily, and practiced music on his violin in a way that was very pleasing. He had a mechanical genius and would borrow other tradesmen’s tools to do small tasks. His greatest attribute was his sound judgment, which led other to seek his advice on issues large and small.

Josiah Franklin Character Timeline in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

The timeline below shows where the character Josiah Franklin appears in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...died at Banbury in Oxfordsire. Thomas (sr.) had four sons, Thomas jr., John, Benjamin, and Josiah. Thomas jr. was a smith but went on to become a scrivener (scribe) and became... (full context)

Franklin describes how his father, Josiah, and his uncle Benjamin broke away from the Episcopal (Anglican) Church while the rest of... (full context)

...various trades, but Franklin was sent to grammar school at the age of eight because Josiah intended to put him in the priesthood. Franklin’s father reconsidered sending Franklin to school, however,... (full context)

At the age of ten, Franklin was removed from school to assist Josiah who was a “Tallow Chandler and Sope-Boiler” (a candle and soap maker). Franklin was employed... (full context)

...to fish for minnows. The boys were caught and reprimanded, and, though Franklin pleaded with Josiah that the work he and the boys had done was useful, his father taught him... (full context)

Franklin thinks William might like to hear more about Josiah, who, Franklin says, had a strong physical build, was of average height, could draw well,... (full context)

Josiah liked to invite friends and neighbors over for dinner and chose ingenious topics of conversation... (full context)

...rambling digressions. He returns to his story, saying that he continued as an assistant to Josiah until the age of twelve. Because he did not like his father’s trade and his... (full context)

...the poems were wretched but the “Light House Tragedy” sold well, which flattered his vanity. Josiah ridiculed his verses and told him that poets were generally beggars, so Franklin escaped being... (full context)

...two were to be apart for some time, so they exchanged letters on the subject. Josiah found the letters and showed Franklin how he lacked Collin’s elegance of expression. Franklin saw... (full context)

Franklin and James often took their disputes before Josiah and, Franklin says, either he was generally in the right or a better pleader than... (full context)

Josiah sided with James in the dispute, so Franklin decided it was best if he ran... (full context)

...should set up his own printing business. Keith promised his support and offered to write Josiah a letter stating as much. They concluded that Franklin should return to Boston on the... (full context)

Franklin’s father, Josiah, was very surprised at Governor Keith’s letter and, when Holmes returned, asked him about Keith’s... (full context)

...his books with Franklin, and proposed that Franklin meet up with him in New York. Josiah, though he rejected Keith’s proposal, was still happy at the attention that was being paid... (full context)

Josiah advised Franklin to be well-behaved and respectful and to gain the esteem of the people... (full context)

...into Vernon’s money one of the first great errata of his life and adds that Josiah was right that he was too young to manage the affairs of a business. Governor... (full context)