Explain how Benjamin Franklinwas the Quintessential American of his time?

Question

Who would you say is the Quintessential American of our time and why?

Answer 1

Benjamin Franklin was a "Rennaisance Man", but not necessarily the quintessential American of his time. Simply put, while he was most assuredly well-read and quite affable, he displayed only some of the passion of a Patrick Henry, the complex literary thought of a Thomas Jefferson, or the staid reserve of a George Washington - all three of whom have (at one time or another) been held up as examples of the quintessential American.

I'd say that all these men were exceptional for their time, and would be exceptional even now, when so much of our culture is crass and our heritage is being either mortgaged off to big business or else stolen piecemeal in the name of "security".

Answer 2

Ben F was the Shiznit when it came to Americans. he sat on the Continental congress, invented lots of cool stuff, had several crazy ideas that he shared with all, and he liked his beer as well as the ladies.
For the exact same reasons, I would have to nominate Mister Bill Clinton as the quintessential American of our time.