The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Collector's Edition) (Laminated Hardback with Jacket) by Benjamin Franklin

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Collector's Edition) (Laminated Hardback with Jacket) by Benjamin Franklin

Collector's Edition Laminated Hardback with Jacket>

Born in a world that offered him little, Benjamin Franklin crafted an extraordinary life of influence, adventure, and innovation. Through his own words, Franklin unfolds a journey of grit and curiosity, from escaping the rigid expectations of his family to exploring the mysteries of science and the art of diplomacy. Packed with lively anecdotes and hard-won wisdom, his story reveals a relentless drive for self-improvement and service to others. This is more than a life story; it's a blueprint for ambition, resilience, and the pursuit of knowledge in the face of all odds.

Franklin's autobiography stands as a foundational piece of American literature, offering a firsthand account of the ideals and values that shaped early America. His reflections capture the spirit of Enlightenment thinking, emphasizing self-improvement, civic responsibility, and ingenuity. The book not only illuminates Franklin's achievements in science, diplomacy, and philosophy but also serves as an inspirational model for personal growth and public service. This compelling narrative provides a rare window into the mind of a founding figure, showcasing the blend of pragmatism and vision that helped define a nation's identity.

Benjamin Franklin, statesman, philosopher, and man of letters, was born in Boston in 1706 of Protestant parents. He entered Boston Grammar School when he was eight and later attended George Brown Ell's school. When he was twelve his father apprenticed him to his half-brother James as a printer. James was later the publisher of the New England Courant, where Franklin's first articles, The Dogood Papers, were published before he was seventeen. He went to Philadelphia in 1723 and pursued his trade of printer. He was befriended by William Keith, Governor of Pennsylvania, who offered to help the young man get started in business. Franklin left for England, where he hoped to arrange for the purchase of printing equipment. Arriving in London in 1724, he was soon deserted by Keith, and again turned to printing for a livelihood. His privately printed Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain (1725) introduced him to leading Deists and other intellectuals in London. A year later, he returned to Philadelphia, and by 1730 he had been appointed public printer for Pennsylvania. In 1731 he established the first circulation library in the United States; in 1743-44, The American Philosophical Society. In 1748 he retired from the trade of printer but continued to advise and back his partner and to draw profit from the business. Poor Richard's Almanack was his most spectacular success as a publisher, having gone through numerous editions and been translated in many languages. During the next thirty-five years he devoted himself largely to politics and diplomacy, but still wrote and engaged in scientific ventures. He resigned as Minister to France in 1785, returned to America, and was elected President of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Still concerned with the rights of the individual, he published papers encouraging the abolition of slavery. He died in Philadelphia in 1790.

Larzer Ziff is a research professor of English at Johns Hopkins University who has written extensively on American literary culture.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781998621576
ISBN 10	199862157X
Title	The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Collector's Edition) (Laminated Hardback with Jacket)
Author	Benjamin Franklin
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Revive Classics
Year published	2024-11-26
Number of pages	156
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.