The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin — Benjamin Franklin is a man who needs little introduction. He wore many hats over the course of his fascinating life, from that of a printer, to an inventor, to a scientist, to a politician, a founding father and statesman, and even a postmaster-general. He was famous for all of these things in his day, but he was also famed for his keen insight into people and human nature, and his sparkling talent as a conversationalist. Despite his accomplishments, Franklin seemed to keep a down-to-earth demeanor, favoring home-spun sayings and simple, direct, honest prose—the kind of prose that shines in this autobiography. The autobiography has a long and complex publication history. Franklin wrote it intermittently between 1771 and 1790, leaving it unfinished at his death. The first book edition appeared in French in 1791, based on an unrevised copy of the first part. In 1818 his grandson William Temple Franklin issued a heavily edited, incomplete English version. John Bigelow acquired the original manuscript in 1867 and published all four parts in English in 1868. His edition forms the basis of this text. Though incomplete, this autobiography is a highly readable and fascinating insight into the legendary life of the man some people call the “First American.”