Benjamin franklin was born in boston on january 17, 1706. A letter from benjamin franklin to his sister written on october 25, 1779. Benjamin franklin books biography and list of works author of. Among benjamin s siblings were his older brother james and his younger sister jane.
From his first appearance in print, in the guise of the eccentric, opinionated, voluble silence dogood 1722, to his last published article, a searing satire against slavery 1790, he covered every aspect of the question of america with radiant clarity. Benjamin franklin was known as an inventor and a thinker. Benjamin franklin 17061790 was a printer, writer, inventor, scientist, diplomat, and statesman. Benjamin franklins book of virtues books of american wisdom hardcover. See all books authored by benjamin franklin, including the autobiography of benjamin franklin, and the autobiography and other writings on politics, economics, and virtue, and more on. I wish he had kept writing past 1757, but what he wrote is uplifting and enjoyable. Unwrap a complete list of books by benjamin franklin and find books available. Benjamin franklin 17061790 was a statesman, author, publisher, scientist, inventor, diplomat, a founding father and a leading figure of early american history. Over this time, the ibpa benjamin franklin award for excellence in book publishing has become one of the highest national honors for. Benjamin franklin reader walter isaccson 2003 ebay. Benjamin franklin books biography and list of works. Franklin published newspapers, almanacs, and pamphlets at his own risk quite often, but only rarely did he publish a book, because of the greater investment in.
The biography of benjamin franklin one of the founding. Benjamin franklin, one of our founding fathers, had a lifelong love of books. An edition of the book published over thirty years after the original makes it difficult to discern who the author was franklin placed his portrait on. He creates a book with columns for each day of the week, in which he marks. In the letter, benjamin franklin refers to false reports about him written in the press, his enjoyment of the french ladies, his request that his sister send him some fine soap to give as gifts in france, and john paul joness victories at sea near england. Benjamin franklin, poor richard improved 1732 and the way to wealth 1785 as a writer, benjamin franklin was best known for the wit and wisdom he shared with the readers of his popular almanac, poor richard, under the pseudonym richard saunders. Josiah intended for benjamin to enter into the clergy. Benjamin franklin is the author of books such as the autobiography of. He helped draft the declaration of independence and later was involved in negotiating the peace treaty with britain that ended the revolutionary war. The only american of the colonial period to earn a european reputation as a natural philosopher, he is best remembered in the united states as a patriot and diplomat. Jill lepore is the david woods kemper 41 professor of american history at harvard university and a staff writer at the new yorker. The autobiography of benjamin franklin a personal look at the life of benjamin franklin through boyhood and prewar london days.
Statesman, scientist, philosopher, printer, and civic leader, benjamin franklin was also the most powerful writer of his time. These maxims typically counsel thrift and courtesy, with a. And i purchased it with a bunch of other books on my grandfathers estate. One of the foremost of the founding fathers, he helped draft the declaration of independence and was one of its signers, he represented the united states in france during the american revolution, and he was a delegate to the constitutional convention. Benjamin franklin was a printer, publisher, author, inventor, scientist, and diplomat. Benjamin franklin collection selected special collections. Benjamin franklin, 170690, american statesman, printer, scientist, and writer, b. Benjamin franklins classic poor richards almanac is chiefly remembered for being a repository of franklins aphorisms and proverbs, many of which live on in and are commonly used today, and have been newly typeset and included in this edition. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Benjamin franklins book of virtues books of american wisdom by benjamin franklin sep 27, 2016. In an interview after the hardcover edition of benjamin franklin was published, isaacson revealed that he had first started reading about franklins diplomatic activities when he was working on his acclaimed biography of henry kissinger because he wanted to understand the peculiar mixture of. He was the tenth son of soap maker, josiah franklin.
The autobiography of benjamin franklin is the traditional name for the unfinished record of his own life written by benjamin franklin from 1771 to 1790. Hes generally portrayed as a child and as a budding superhero, albeit inexperienced. He was still working on it when he died in 1790 and it was published posthumously, entitled an autobiography of benjamin franklin. He made many contributions to the america we know today, and his. Benjamin franklin books list of books by benjamin franklin.
Offering up wisdom in poor richards almanac and the drafts of the declaration of independence, benjamin franklin retells his own story with charming detail in. Benjamins mother was abiah folger, the second wife of. The character is usually depicted as a supporting character in fantastic four. Selected special collections benjamin franklin collection papers and publications of benjamin franklin, 850 volumes. Benjamin franklin books list of books by author benjamin franklin. The first book franklin published at his own risk was the first american edition of a new version of the metrical psalms by isaac watts. His formula for successful living by franklin, benjamin and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Strangely enough, the first volume only was first published in french, in paris in 1791. In its pages, he coins the terms battery, conductor, and positive and negative charge. Novel sales at the time depended on the shifting tastes of the leisure class, and were an unreliable source of income for a publisher. Discount prices on books by benjamin franklin, including titles like the papers of benjamin franklin. He acquired them throughout his life, for, as he noted in his autobiography, from a child i was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in.
Ben franklin was the scientist who, with the help of a kite, discovered that lightning is electricity. Franklin comes across as a cheerful, honest, curious man whose main desire in life is to improve himself and the world around him. One of the first books published about electricity, it awarded franklin international acclaim. Enjoy reading the introductory notes before diving in to his writings it offers fascinating details to better understand such an iconic american figure. Although it had a tortuous publication history after franklins death, this work.
Benjamin franklin biography benjamin franklin biography and list of works. Franklin published newspapers, almanacs, and pamphlets at his own risk quite often, but only rarely did he publish a book, because of the greater investment in paper and binding that books entailed. From 1728 to 1748, franklin printed just sixteen books at his own risk and expense that we know were issued bound. An american life paperback bargain price, june 1, 2004.
Not hitherto published benjamin franklins autobiography wit and wisdom from. In 1758, for his twentyfifth almanac, franklin created a clever preface that repeated a. Benjamin franklin has 824 books on goodreads with 2272 ratings. Benjamin franklinpublished book antiques roadshow pbs. He started composing what became the autobiography of benjamin franklin in 1771. Benjamin franklin published experiments and observations on electricity in 1751. He was also a statesman, an inventor, a printer, and an authora man of such amazingly varied talents that some people claimed he had magical powers.
Benjamin franklin s most popular book is the autobiography of benjamin franklin. The autobiography of benjamin franklin dover thrift editions. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Electric ben the amazing life and times of benjamin franklin by robert byrd and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. See all books authored by benjamin franklin, including the autobiography of benjamin franklin, and the autobiography and other writings on politics. Check out martin gammons antiques roadshow appraisal of this benjamin franklin published book from richmond, hour 1. Ibpa benjamin franklin awards home ibpa book award. Hardcover, dust jacket, illustrated, 551 pages, 8vo. The book had a complicated and controversial publication history. The story of benjamin and his discovery with electricity there once was a great scientist and his name was benjamin franklin. Franklin sprinkles a healthy dose of humility and wit throughout his prose. Benjamin franklin was born on january 17th, 1706, on milk street in boston, massachusetts benjamin frankl.
The 17 year old who thinks she might be weird for sticking her nose into books rather than shot glasses, the 33 year old wouldbe writer, who feels he needs to sign a book contract before he can start writing, and anyone who thinks theyre ahead of their time. The autobiography of benjamin franklin by benjamin franklin. List of books and articles about benjamin franklin. Benjamin franklin book by walter isaacson official. Benjamins mother was abiah folger, the second wife of josiah. He was one of seventeen children born to josiah franklin, and one of ten born by josiahs second wife, abiah folger. Open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit, building a digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. The autobiography of benjamin franklin by benjamin.
Benjamin franklin tells the story of the famous statesmans remarkable life, from his early childhood and upbringing through his scientific experiments, his politically active years in the u. Franklin benjamin richards is a fictional character appearing in american comic books published by marvel comics. Benjamin franklin by cassie mayer, 2008, heinemann library edition, in english benjamin franklin 2008 edition open library. Books by benjamin franklin author of benjamin franklin. Benjamin franklin biography benjamin franklin biography and list of works benjamin franklin books benjamin franklin biography benjamin franklin biography and list of works benjamin franklin books. Benjamin franklin has 825 books on goodreads with 227323 ratings. Benjamin franklin books list of books by author benjamin. Although franklin eliminated the authors moiety from his overhead, the book was still a financial disappointment.
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