At age 12, Ben Franklin was apprenticed to learn the printing trade from his brother James. Three years later, James founded The New-England Courant, the first truly independent newspaper in the colonies. When a letter written by Ben Franklin was refused publication, he responded by writing under a pseudonym – ‘Mrs. Silence Dogood’, a middle-aged widow. The letters were published and a topic of conversation about town. When the ruse was uncovered Ben left the apprenticeship without permission, and ran away to Philadelphia, and worked as a printer there.
He opened his own printing shop in 1728 producing a newspaper (The Pennsylvania Gazette) and his annual Poor Richard’s Almanack. He was very inventive – he printed cartoons, illustrated news stories, letters to the editor, and used his press as a way to bring news to the people. His use of cartoons and illustrations meant that more people could understand the news, even those with limited reading skills. Poor Richard’s Almanack was equally entertaining – the blend of wit and wisdom gives us an insight to Franklin’s sense of humour.
