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. |
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Page 11
... received an average of five hundred pounds a year , and from this time on he divided his attention between science and politics . He performed his electrical experiments , corre- sponded with fellow scientists , and received many honors ...
... received an average of five hundred pounds a year , and from this time on he divided his attention between science and politics . He performed his electrical experiments , corre- sponded with fellow scientists , and received many honors ...
Page 46
... received me with great civility , showed me his library , which was a very considerable one , and we had a good deal of conversation about books and authors . This was the second governor who had done me the hon- our to take notice of ...
... received me with great civility , showed me his library , which was a very considerable one , and we had a good deal of conversation about books and authors . This was the second governor who had done me the hon- our to take notice of ...
Page 307
... received the preceding letter . Five days later William Franklin wrote his father a letter which must have left a life - long impression . Hon'd Father : December 24 , 1774 I came here on Thursday last to attend the funeral of my poor ...
... received the preceding letter . Five days later William Franklin wrote his father a letter which must have left a life - long impression . Hon'd Father : December 24 , 1774 I came here on Thursday last to attend the funeral of my poor ...
Contents
Introduction | 7 |
PART ONEThe Autobiography | 15 |
PART TWO Selected Writings | 182 |
Copyright | |
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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