The Autobiography and Other WritingsThis authoritative Bantam Classic edition presents readers with a wide-ranging selection of Benjamin Franklin’s most important writings, illuminating the complex and appealing character of this quintessential American who rose to fame as a publisher, inventor, educator, bon vivant, and statesman. Here are selections from Franklin’s newspaper articles, from the sage wisdom of Poor Richard’s Almanac, from his entertaining letters, from his scientific essays, from his political and revolutionary writings, plus a generous sampling of his famous aphorisms, poems, and humor. And, most important, here is a newly edited text of one of the most vital and important works of American literature, the Autobiography. As fascinating and as relevant as ever, this timeless collection of writings reveals an extraordinary man whose mind was always curious, always questioning, and who forever remained dedicated to the principles of truth and liberty. |
Contents
FRANKLINS OUTLINES FOR THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY | 209 |
Newspaper Writing 17221734 | 226 |
Poor Richards Almanac 17331758 | 237 |
Projects 17281749 | 254 |
Observations and Experiments 17441785 | 261 |
Essays 17471768 | 279 |
Letters 17711775 | 300 |
Revolutionary Writings 17661787 | 309 |
Wise Practical and Humorous Writings of | 327 |
Poems and Epitaph | 345 |
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Common terms and phrases
acquaintance advantage affairs afterward Almanac America Art of Virtue Assembly attend Autobiography Benjamin Benjamin Franklin Boston brother called character Charles Dickens colonies common continued D. H. Lawrence dear dispute Edith Wharton endeavor England father favor fire Franklin Franklin stove friends Fyodor Dostoevsky gave give governor hands heard honor horses inhabitants Jane Austen Jonathan Shipley Keimer laws leave letters lightning lived lodging London Lord Loudoun Mark Twain ment never observed occasion opinion pamphlet paper Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Gazette perhaps person Philadelphia pleasure Poor Richard says Poor Richard's Almanac pounds present printer printing house procure proposed proprietaries province Quakers Ralph received sailed sect sent shillings ship sion soon street taxes things thought tion told took virtue wagons writing wrote young