The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a memoir in which the American printer, scientist, and statesman recounts his life from Boston childhood and the printing trade to public service and scientific experiments. He also describes his plan for moral perfection and his years in Philadelphia and London. It offers a firsthand portrait of colonial America and a curious, self-made mind.
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Cover of the original edition (Project Gutenberg, public domain).
Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
FRANKLIN ARMS FRANKLIN ARMS FRANKLIN SEAL FRANKLIN SEAL FRONTISPIECE "He was therefore, feasted and invited to all the court parties. At these he sometimes met the old Duchess of Bourbon, who, being a chess player of about his force, they very generally played together. Happening once to put her king into prize, the Doctor took it. 'Ah,' says she, 'we do not take kings so.' 'We do in America,' said the Doctor."— Thomas Jefferson A U T O B I O G R A P H Y OF B E N J A M I N F R A N K L I N WITH ILLUSTRATIONS by E. BOYD SMITH, EDITED by FRANK WOODWORTH PINE
Printers Mark New York HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 1916 Copyright, 1916, BY HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY June, 1922 THE QUINN & BODEN CO. PRESS RAHWAY, N. J. CONTENTS Page Introduction vii The Autobiography 1 I. Ancestry and Early Life in Boston 3 II. Beginning Life as a Printer 21 III. Arrival in Philadelphia 41 IV. First Visit to Boston 55 V. Early Friends in Philadelphia 69 VI. First Visit to London 77 VII. Beginning Business in Philadelphia 99 VIII. Business Success and First Public Service 126
IX. Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection 146 X. Poor Richard's Almanac and Other Activities 169 XI. Interest in Public Affairs 188 XII. Defense of the Province 201 XIII. Public Services and Duties 217 XIV. Albany Plan of Union 241 XV. Quarrels with the Proprietary Governors 246 XVI. Braddock's Expedition 253 XVII. Franklin's Defense of the Frontier 274 XVIII. Scientific Experiments 289 XIX. Agent of Pennsylvania in London 296 Appendix Electrical Kite 327 The Way to Wealth 331 The Whistle 336 A Letter to Samuel Mather 340 Bibliography 343 ILLUSTRATIONS Franklin at the Court of Louis XVI Frontispiece "He was therefore, feasted and invited to all the court parties. At these he sometimes met the
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