The Autobiography and Other WritingsSignet Classic, 1961 - 352 pages Benjamin Franklin's writings represent a long career of literary, scientific, and political efforts over a lifetime which extended nearly the entire eighteenth century. Franklin's achievements range from inventing the lightning rod to publishing Poor Richard's Almanack to signing the Declaration of Independence. In his own lifetime he knew prominence not only in America but in Britain and France as well. This volume includes Franklin's reflections on such diverse questions as philosophy and religion, social status, electricity, American national characteristics, war, and the status of women. Nearly sixty years separate the earliest writings from the latest, an interval during which Franklin was continually balancing between the puritan values of his upbringing and the modern American world to which his career served as prologue. This edition provides a new text of the Autobiography, established with close reference to Franklin's original manuscript. It also includes a new transcription of the 1726 journal, and several pieces which have recently been identified as Franklin's own work. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 46
Page 72
... afterwards inventor of what is now called Hadley's Quadrant . But he knew little out of his way and was not a pleasing companion , as like most great mathematicians I have met with , he expected unusual precision in everything said , or ...
... afterwards inventor of what is now called Hadley's Quadrant . But he knew little out of his way and was not a pleasing companion , as like most great mathematicians I have met with , he expected unusual precision in everything said , or ...
Page 73
... afterwards laughed at . He also became Surveyor - General . William Maugridge , a joiner , but a most exquisite mechanic , and a solid , sensible man . Hugh Meredith , Stephen Potts , and George Webb I have characterised before . Robert ...
... afterwards laughed at . He also became Surveyor - General . William Maugridge , a joiner , but a most exquisite mechanic , and a solid , sensible man . Hugh Meredith , Stephen Potts , and George Webb I have characterised before . Robert ...
Page 328
... afterwards a political writer and historian . The purport of it was to prove the doctrine of fate , from the sup- posed attributes of God ; in some such manner as this : that in erecting and governing the world , as he was in- finitely ...
... afterwards a political writer and historian . The purport of it was to prove the doctrine of fate , from the sup- posed attributes of God ; in some such manner as this : that in erecting and governing the world , as he was in- finitely ...
Contents
Introduction | 7 |
PART ONEThe Autobiography | 15 |
PART TWO Selected Writings | 182 |
Copyright | |
7 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
acquainted advantage affairs afterwards American American Philosophical Society appeared Art of Virtue Assembly attended Benjamin Franklin Boston brother Carl Van Doren Colonies common continued dear desire electrical electrised endeavour England expence father favour fire friends gave give glass glass harmonica Governor hand heard horses Jane Mecom JONATHAN SHIPLEY Keimer kind lately learned letter lived lodging London ment never observed occasion officers opinion paper Parliament Pennsylvania perhaps person PETER COLLINSON Philadelphia piece pleasure Poor Richard says Poor Richard's Almanack present printer printing house proposed Proprietaries province Quakers received respect sailed sect seems sent Smyth sometimes soon Stamp Act Street surprized thing thou thought thro tion took town Union Fire Company virtue waggons wise writing wrote young youth