George Washington and Benjamin Franklin Essay

George working capital is a revered work up in history. He was the first professorship of the United States and one of its belove Founding Fathers. He was Com adult maleder-in-Chief of the Continental forces upon whose victory the thirteen colonies de composeded to secure their separate and equal station among the powers of the demesne (Rediscovering George Washington, 2002, Introduction, para. 2). The usual facts aside, George Washington is a study of contrasting character traits, reservation and pride. Washington lived up to his legendary self with an immense awareness of who he was. In the book, Portrait of America (Oates & Errico, 2003), Gordon S.Wood points that Washingtons superlative asset is his character that he was re bear witnessative of the 18th-century iconic image of a great man of virtue (Essay 10, II, para. 7 & 8). The eighteenth century was a very different era in many respects from the present that his personal concerns then(prenominal) may sound preposterou s now. For example, Wood (2003) dilate that Washington was notoriously aloof in keeping with the image of a classical hero (III, para. 5), something that is bane nowadays for someone who occupies or dreams of coveting the highest dominance of the land.Wood (2003) exposed that Washington was very meticulous of himself in particular in the company of others constantly cultivating the ideals of being a proper gentleman from his tangible bearings to his personal manners(II, para. 15). He certainly considered his repute his treasure and he saved it all his life (III, para. 6). There lies his enigma, the possession of two contrasting traits, second-stringer and pride. Wood (2003) further emphasized that it was his moral character that set him morose from other men (II, para. 7). This moral steadfastness has served him well in allure moments.It is worthy to know that Washington acknowledged but was quite hazardous about his want of formal education compared to his learned peers. S elf-criticism impeded his actions bid his refusal to travel to France finding to have a conversation through an congressman indignant to a man of his stature, as Wood (2003, II, para. 16) pointed out. This shortcoming produced a very modest man who had the humility to surrender his powers and retreat from reality life, an unprecedented act in the Western world (Wood, 2003, III, para.2) and which only intensify his image of greatness. Throughout history, the intoxication of power has often cultivated greed out of its possessors. Coming out of retirement and leading the Philadelphia Convention in 1787, Washingtons untarnished reputation was crucial to the ratification of the proposed Constitution. His reputation then at stake, he worked hard to have it ratified (Wood, 2003, IV, para. 1). This was the emblematic Washington work ethic a concern for validation of his deal act in the eyes of his peers then and for the future generation.Being the prexy of a two-year-old nation, Woo d (2003) pointed that Washington was keenly aware that everything he did would set precedents for the future (V, para. 1). His political contributions are still pervasive today, a testament to his leadership endurance. Wood (2003) concluded that Washington was responsible for establishing the chairpersons independent role and for making him a dominant figure in the government. He also set the Senates limited informatory role to the president in the making of treaties and the appointment of officials.Most importantly, he single-handedly institutionalized the two-term limit of the presidency that it was included in the twenty-second amendment to the Constitution in 1951 (V, para. 2, 3, & 7). Another outstanding Founding Father who is surpass known for his scientific pursuits than his understated political contribution is Benjamin Franklin. In Portrait of America (Oates & Errico, 2003), Richard B. Morris (Essay 6) described Franklin at the beginning of his essay as deceptively simpl e and disarmingly candid, but in reality a man of enormous complexity.Like George Washington, Franklin was also concerned about spiritedness a virtuous life although he was a much more relaxed character than the famous general. Franklin is one who seems made of flesh rather than of marble (Isaacson, 2003). Both bettered themselves through purposeful self-improvement to make up for their lack of formal education. Franklin was blessed with a myriad of talents he used wisely he was a writer, printer, entrepreneur, skilled negotiator, diplomat, scientist. He espoused such virtues of diligence, frugality, self-discipline, honesty.He loved making lists and the most significant of such is as a young man, he made a list of personal virtues that he set should define his life (Isaacson, 2006). Franklin used his pen for his causes proving the commonly known expression, the pen is mightier than the sword. As a prolific writer Franklin wrote under the pseudonyms Mrs. Silence Dogood, a characte r that showed the quintessential genre of American folksy humor (Isaacson, 2006) then later showed more of his humorous side as Poor Richard Saunders for his annual almanac.Satirical writing is still in practice today especially in the criticism of public figures. His affable nature enabled him to successfully provocation dissension during the heated deliberations of the proposed Constitution. He was against tyranny especially slavery disdain him having black slaves in 1757. He never hesitated to promote his advocacy for immunity of the press and expression, still very much one of the prevalent rights issues in society today.ReferencesIsaacson, W. (2003, June 29). Citizen Bens Great Virtues. Time Magazine Online. Retrieved October 16, 2006 from the World unsubtle Web http//www.time. com/time/2003/franklin/bffranklin. html. Morris, R. B. (2003). Meet Dr. Franklin. In Oates, S. B. , & Errico, C. J. (Eds. ), Portrait of America mountain One To 1877 8th Edition (Essay 6). Boston H oughton Mifflin Company. Rediscovering George Washington (2002). PBS. Retrieved October 16, 2006 from the World long Web http//www. pbs. org/georgewashington/father/index. html. Wood, G. S. (2003). The Greatness of George Washington. In Oates, S. B. , & Errico, C. J. (Eds. ), Portrait of America saturation One To 1877 8th Edition (Essay 10). Boston Houghton Mifflin Company.