[Looking at why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.]

What did Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Sequoyah have in common?

Actually, quite a bit.

We see people as they seem when they are older and accomplished, but we miss the problems they had to overcome.

Benjamin Franklin was one of 17 children. His father did not have adequate money, so Ben’s formal education ended at 10. He was an indentured apprentice printer in Boston, but ran away from the oppression and abuse, making him a fugitive.

While working as a printer in Philadelphia, he read and self-educated, learning science, history, philosophy, religion and could speak French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Latin, besides English. He began a small printing business and continued growing it until he retired at 40. Then he devoted his efforts to science and diplomacy. His scientific advancements are still used today, 270 years later, including bifocals, lightning protection, swim fins, and flexible urinary catherter. He received acclamation in British science academies and was the U.S. diplomat to France. Franklin was the only person to sign all four of the key documents establishing the U.S. This does not even scratch what he accomplished. Read more about him.

Not too bad for a self-educated fugitive.

Thomas Jefferson was one of ten children. His father, who was self-taught, regretted his lack of education, so he instilled in Tom a passion for learning. His dad died when Tom was 14.

Tom went to live with the Rev. James Maury, who taught him history, science, philosophy, and religion. Tom went to college, but partied the first year. He became proficient on the violin, astronomy, science, architecture, philosophy, history. He wrote “I read Greek, Latin, French, Italian, Spanish, and English of course, with something of it’s radix the Anglo-Saxon,” and studied German, Arabic, Gaelic, and Welsh. He amassed three libraries, selling one to replace the burned Library of Congress. He studied the Bible in Greek, Latin, French, and English.

He was very shy, avoided public speaking, but was extremely articulate with the pen. This skill allowed him to author the Declaration of Independence and be a signatory of the Constitution. How could such a shy man become President?

President John F. Kennedy on April 29, 1962, during remarks honoring Nobel Prize winners, humorously acknowledged the intellect of Jefferson. “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House – with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”

Not too bad for a fatherless, shy country kid.

George (Sequoyah) Gist was a Cherokee Native American born in the back country of Tennessee. His father, a British soldier, left before he was born and was not part of his upbringing. Young Sequoyah could not read or write and had not seen an English alphabet.

Sequoyah was a skilled blacksmith, silversmith and fur trader. Operating his mother’s trading post, he soon became a drunk and was seldom sober. Realizing bad choices, he quit drinking and selling alcohol.

Sequoyah saw the advantage that the English writers and speakers had. At the age of 39, he began developing a way for his people to write and by the age of 50, had developed the first native syllabary known in the world. Within about three years, he had taught the Cherokee to read and write and they became the most literate culture with near 100% literacy. He received recognition from educators, politicians, and his tribe. He visited with the President and obtained Congressional recognition. His work inspired as many as 21 other language scripts in North America, Africa, and Asia.

Not too bad for a fatherless, alcoholic, ethnic boy.

What did they have in common? They were teenagers without a father, they were self-educated, they made questionable choices as teenagers, but they made a choice to excel despite their circumstances. Although they lived 250-years-ago, all are household names!

Jefferson’s education skill set had replication at Andover Seminary and was the norm for Reverend Samuel Worcester, Elias Boudinot, John Ridge, and Major Ridge, leaders of the Cherokee Nation.

Think about it: stuff happens, but the difference is what people do after that. People are where they are because of choices they make.

Excerpts from our book:

Separatists, Spinoza, & Scientists, The Mavericks of Intellectual Freedom, ISBN: 9781797744827