# Benjamin Franklin — Progress and Poverty character guide

> Benjamin Franklin in Progress and Poverty by Henry George.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Dr. Franklin, Franklin

**First appearance:** 0018-ii-inferences-from-facts

## Who they are

American polymath and statesman, cited for observations on population and economy.

## In the story

### [The Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se/chapters/the-problem)

Franklin is imagined as a man of the last century who would have marveled at modern inventions and expected them to abolish poverty.

### [Insufficiency of Remedies Currently Advocated](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se/chapters/i-insufficiency-of-remedies-currently-advocated)

Cited as an example of individual frugality, but the author argues that such practices cannot raise general wages.

### [From the Diffusion of Education and Improved Habits of Industry and Thrift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se/chapters/ii-from-the-diffusion-of-education-and-improved-habits-of-industry-and-thrift)

Cited as an example of individual frugality (vegetarianism) that allowed him to save, but whose method would not raise general wages if adopted by all.

### [II: Differences in Civilization—To What Due](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se/chapters/ii-differences-in-civilization-to-what-due)

Referenced indirectly through the discussion of the influence of environment on character.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced in an anecdote about Keimer and a roast pig, illustrating human nature.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se/characters/benjamin_franklin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se/characters