Frances Burney vs. Benjamin Franklin
Side-by-side comparison of two thinkers
Frances Burney
1752 – 1840
Frances Burney, also known as Fanny Burney and later Madame d'Arblay, was an English novelist, diarist and playwright. In 1786–1790 she held the post of "Keeper of the Robes" to Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, George III's queen. In 1793, aged 41, she married a French exile, General Alexandre d'Arblay.
"Look at your ladies of quality—are they not forever parting with their husbands—forfeiting their reputations—and is their life aught but dissipation? In common …"
Benjamin Franklin
1812 – 1878
Benjamin Franklin was an American polymath: a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political philosopher. Among the most influential intellectuals of his time, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States; a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence; and the first postmaster general.
"Today a man owns a jackass worth fifty dollars and he is entitled to vote; but before the next election the jackass dies. The man in the mean time has become mo…"