Ben Franklin and the Leather Apron Club
How To Improve One's Self and Community through Social Clubs
The Junto, also known as the Leather Apron Club, was a mutual improvement society founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1727 when he was just 21 years old. Franklin created this group with the goal of bringing together like-minded men from diverse backgrounds to discuss intellectual, moral, and civic topics and work on personal and community improvement.
Key Aspects of the Junto
Purpose: The Junto was intended as a forum for self-education, debate, and public service. Franklin wanted to gather people who were curious, knowledgeable, and committed to improving themselves and their communities. The members discussed various topics, including philosophy, business, politics, and science, with an emphasis on practical ways to enhance society.
Membership: The Junto consisted of tradesmen, artisans, and workers from different fields, including printers, surveyors, cabinet makers, and merchants. Franklin believed that each person brought valuable perspectives and expertise, and he deliberately sought a diverse group to broaden the scope of discussion.
Meetings: The Junto met weekly on Friday evenings. Meetings began with the reading of a list of questions, which prompted discussion on moral, philosophical, social, and practical issues. Members were encouraged to share useful knowledge, support each other’s business ventures, and suggest solutions to problems facing the community.
Question Format: Franklin created a set of questions for the Junto meetings to guide the discussions. These included questions like:
"Have you met with anything in the author you last read that is particularly remarkable?"
"Have you heard of any citizen lately burst [gone bankrupt], or about to fail?"
"Do you know of a fellow citizen who has lately done a worthy action, deserving praise or imitation?"
"What benefits have you lately received from any man not present?"
These questions aimed to foster introspection, intellectual growth, and civic responsibility.
Values and Ethics: The Junto promoted values like honesty, humility, and a commitment to bettering oneself and one’s community. The discussions were civil, with a focus on respectful debate and active listening. Franklin emphasized humility by asking members to avoid dominating the conversation and to approach all discussions with an open mind.
Impact on Society: The Junto had a notable impact on Philadelphia. It was instrumental in founding several of Franklin’s later civic projects, including the establishment of the first lending library, which became the Library Company of Philadelphia, as well as the creation of the first volunteer fire department and the Pennsylvania Hospital. The Junto also contributed ideas for a local militia, which eventually led to the founding of the Pennsylvania Militia.
Legacy of the Junto
The Junto set a foundation for the development of American civic society and was a precursor to modern self-improvement and networking groups. It demonstrated Franklin’s belief in the power of collaboration and community in solving problems and improving society, a philosophy that continues to inspire organizations today.
Franklin's Junto was successful because it encouraged open-mindedness, lifelong learning, and active participation in society—a model for personal and civic improvement that remains relevant.