Benjamin Franklin was one of the most prolific authors, inventors and statesmen in American history. His contributions to multiple components of American society led him to be one of the most famous Founding Fathers. Franklin attributes his accomplishments to having a framework of principles and an organized plan for his daily activities. Franklin details this framework in his autobiography, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Both his writing and framework for living are noteworthy examples of the rationalism period in American history, reflecting the teaching of values, emphasis on reason and a belief in a distant God.
One of the main tenants of rationalism is the teaching of value. Franklin is very instructive of his virtues and explains in great detail how he attempts to live by them. He made a list of these virtues that he describes as necessary and described the ways that he was attempting to conform to them. He made it apparent that it was a learning experience, because he did not succeed even with full concentration. &#;I was surpris&#;d to
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin is a man who needs little introduction. He wore many hats over the course of his fascinating life, from that of a printer, to an inventor, to a scientist, to a politician, a founding father and statesman, and even a postmaster-general. He was famous for all of these things in his day, but he was also famed for his keen insight into people and human nature, and his sparkling talent as a conversationalist.
Despite his accomplishments, Franklin seemed to keep a down-to-earth demeanor, favoring home-spun sayings and simple, direct, honest prose—the kind of prose that shines in this autobiography.
The autobiography itself has a long and complex publication history. Franklin composed it in fits and spurts between and , and never had a chance to complete it, let alone publish it, in his lifetime. It was first published as a poor French translation of an unrevised edition of the manuscript, and then as a heavily-editorialized and inaccurate English edition by Franklin’s son, William Temple Franklin. In John Bigelow purchased the original copy of the autobiography and published the first accurate edition, which is what subsequ
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Quotes
“When about 16 years of age I happened to meet with a book, written by one Tryon, recommending a vegetable diet. I determined to go into it. My brother, being yet unmarried, did not keep house, but boarded himself and his apprentices in another family. My refusing to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chid for my singularity. I made myself acquainted with Tryon's manner of preparing some of his dishes, such as boiling potatoes or rice, making hasty pudding, and a few others, and then proposed to my brother, that if he would give me, weekly, half the money he paid for my board, I would board myself. He instantly agreed to it, and I presently found that I could save half what he paid me. This was an additional fund for buying books. But I had another advantage in it. My brother and the rest going from the printing-house to their meals, I remained there alone, and, despatching presently my light repast, which often was no more than a bisket or a slice of bread, a handful of raisins or a tart from the pastry-cook's, and a glass of water, had the rest of the time till their return for study, in which I mad
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Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words
Produced by the Library of Congress, this website is an online version of an exhibition focusing on Franklin's achievements as a printer and writer, an inventor and scientist, and, particularly, as a politician and statesman.
Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life. An Electric Mind
(Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. )
This PBS website derives from a three-part series on Benjamin Franklin’s life and work. Learn more about Franklin in his roles as exemplary citizen, prolific writer, eminent scientist, and worldly diplomat. Experience his most memorable accomplishmentsby making electric sparks, strolling down the streets of “Ben’s Town,” andsailing across the Atlantic. With lesson plans for teachers, an interactivetimeline, and a long list of resources, this site has something for all of Franklin’s admirers.
Penn in the Age of Franklin:
This site, created by the library and archives of the University of Pennsylvania, traces the relationship between Franklin and the university he founded, against the background of
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