Other editions of book The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This account stands as a classic among autobiographies, a compelling and easy read about a man who, from lowly beginnings in Boston, rose to become a hugely-respected public servant, writer, scientist and inventor and who went on to play a key role in the American Revolution and the founding of the United States. Franklin’s autobiography, published after his death, is an unfinished collection of memoirs written over four different periods of his life. It starts in the form of a letter to his son, William, and describes aspects of his childhood in Boston in the early 1700s and his move to Philadelphia where he set up a successful printing business. The many contributions he made to public causes grew out of a strong sense of civic duty, and a stringent work ethic that formed part of his “plan for attaining moral perfection”, which is detailed in the second period. The last two sections cover his impressive political and scientific work and give the reader an insight into the developing tensions between the American colonies and the British crown. A polymath of immense standing, Benjamin Franklin stands out as one of the most highly esteemed figures of the eighteenth century.

E Americans devour eagerly any piece of writing that purports to tell us the secret of success in life; yet how often we are disappointed to find nothing but commonplace statements, or receipts that we know by heart but never follow. Most of the life stories of our famous and successful men fail to inspire because they lack the human element that makes the record real and brings the story within our grasp. While we are searching far and near for some Aladdin's Lamp to give coveted fortune, there is ready at our hand if we will only reach out and take it, like the charm in Milton's Comus, "Unknown, and like esteemed, and the dull swain Treads on it daily with his clouted shoon;" the interesting, human, and vividly told story of one of the wisest and most useful lives in our own history, and perhaps in any history. In Franklin's Autobiography is offered not so much a ready-made formula for success, as the companionship of a real flesh and blood man of extraordinary mind and quality, whose daily walk and conversation will help us to meet our own difficulties, much as does the example of a wise and strong friend. While we are fascinated by the story, we absorb the human experience through which a strong and helpful character is building. The thing that makes Franklin's Autobiography different from every other life story of a great and successful man is just this human aspect of the account. Franklin told the story of his life, as he himself says, for the benefit of his posterity. He wanted to help them by the relation of his own rise from obscurity and poverty to eminence and wealth. He is not unmindful of the importance of his public services and their recognition, yet his accounts of these achievements are given only as a part of the story, and the vanity displayed is incidental and in keeping with the honesty of the recital. There is nothing of the impossible in the method and practice of Franklin as he sets them forth. The youth who reads the fascinating story is astonished to find that Franklin in his early years struggled with the same everyday passions and difficulties that he himself experiences, and he loses the sense of discouragement that comes from a realization of his own shortcomings and inability to attain. There are other reasons why the Autobiography should be an intimate friend of American young people. Here they may establish a close relationship with one of the foremost Americans as well as one of the wisest men of his age. The life of Benjamin Franklin is of importance to every American primarily because of the part he played in securing the independence of the United States and in establishing it as a nation. Franklin shares with Washington the honors of the Revolution, and of the events leading to the birth of the new nation. While Washington was the animating spirit of the struggle in the colonies, Franklin was its ablest champion abroad. To Franklin's cogent reasoning and keen satire, we owe the clear and forcible presentation of the American case in England and France; while to his personality and diplomacy as well as to his facile pen, we are indebted for the foreign alliance and the funds without which Washington's work must have failed. His patience, fortitude, and practical wisdom, coupled with self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of his country, are hardly less noticeable than similar qualities displayed by Washington. In fact, Franklin as a public man was much like Washington, especially in the entire disinterestedness of his public service. Franklin is also interesting to us because by his life and teachings he has done more than any other American to advance the material prosperity of his countrymen. It is said that his widely and faithfully read maxims made Philadelphia and Pennsylvania wealthy, while Poor Richard's pithy sayings, translated into many languages, have had a world-wide influence. Franklin is a good type of our American manhood.

Left unfinished at the time of his death, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin has endured as one of the most well-known and influential autobiographies ever written. From his early years in Boston and Philadelphia to the publication of his Poor Richard's Almanac to the American Revolution and beyond, Franklin’s autobiography is a fascinating, personal exploration into the life of America’s most interesting founding father.

This authoritative edition of Benjamin Franklin's autobiography tells vividly the eventful and lively life of the United States Founding Father in his own words. Long revered for his ingenuity and multi-talented approach to life, Benjamin Franklin's take on the autobiographical form would be influential for future biographers. The title underwent more than a century of complex publication, with abridging of the text common - fortunately this edition derives from the well-regarded edition by P. P. Collier & Sons, which was published in New York in 1909. This work is divided into four principle parts, with the tone of each differing from the others - Franklin would compose his autobiography intermittently, stopping to write after subsequent events in his life. Such a methodology worked well: the events recorded herein are frankly and clearly accounted, with the author clearly working from memories still fresh. Although Franklin himself would opt to name his unfinished recollections of life his Memoirs, this preference was lost in the years following his death. The writings remained unfinished, but nevertheless cover many of the most interesting events of his life. Part One commences with an address to Franklin's son William, who in 1771 was serving as the Governor of New Jersey. Detailed anecdotes are given to William, ranging from recollections of childhood and his love of reading to the honing of Franklin's writing and newspaper publishing skills during his adolescence and early adulthood, and his progression and youthful ambitions through that fledgling industry. Part Two consists of a pair of letters sent to Franklin from Paris, whose authors encourage Franklin to expand and extend his autobiography. He writes this part in Paris during 1784, where he is pondering about a system of living that would allow moral perfection to be attained. A sketch of this system, complete with a daily schedule, is demonstrated to the reader. Part Three commences in August 1888 - Franklin, having returned to Philadelphia, laments that many of his papers were lost during the Revolutionary War. Nevertheless his efforts have uncovered some writings from the 1730s, consisting of contemplations upon religions. He also details some of his inventions, among them the Franklin stove, and the founding of a hospital and the paving of Philadelphia's roads and streets. We also hear military memoirs: realising conflict with the French is near, Franklin with assistance assembles a militia and is assigned command of the northwestern frontier. Franklin also mentions his experiments with electricity, and the subsequent translations of his papers on the subject being well-received except by French philosopher Abbé Nollet who takes offence at the work. Franklin offers a simple defence: that his experiments and their results can be reproduced by anyone empirically. After some political events, Franklin and his son depart for London in 1857. Part Four is very brief, covering only the period after father and son have arrived in London. A meeting with Lord Granville, who insists that the King of England is the legislator upon the colonies, is detailed. Although Franklin sets out the grievances of the American colonies, the legal representation in England delay the process for reasons of personal emnity. Ultimately, Franklin's efforts at promoting reform fail, and he is rebuked and threatened with legal action. Fascinating for their accounts of 18th century life and politics, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin stands as one of the most socially and historically valuable works of its era.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.