The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Including Poor Richard's Almanac, and Familiar Letters

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Cosimo, Inc., Dec 1, 2005 - Biography & Autobiography - 320 pages
Printer, author, philanthropist, abolitionist, scientist, librarian, diplomat, inventor, philosopher, self-aggrandizer, and social wag, Benjamin Franklin is one of the most fascinating characters in all of American history - a quality that was not lost on the man himself, as his autobiography makes plain.Avoiding the strife of the American Revolution entirely, Franklin focuses his incisive wit on the culture and society of colonial Philadelphia, weaving a mostly true mythology of humble origins and hard work that created the concepts of "The American Dream" and "the self-made man."Originally published in French in 1791, and translated into English and published in London in 1793, this is considered the great autobiography of life in colonial America.American icon BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1706-1790), born in Massachusetts to a British immigrant father and colonial mother, published the famour Poor Richards' Almanack," helped found the University of Pennsylvania, and was the first Postmaster General of the United States. Franklin's likeness adorns, among other things, the United States hundred-dollar bill

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Contents

Section 1
1
Section 2
27
Section 3
53
Section 4
68
Section 5
81
Section 6
97
Section 7
117
Section 8
133
Section 13
221
Section 14
235
Section 15
237
Section 16
239
Section 17
258
Section 18
260
Section 19
264
Section 20
279

Section 9
152
Section 10
170
Section 11
190
Section 12
208
Section 21
282
Section 22
284
Section 23
312
Copyright

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About the author (2005)

One of 17 children, Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. He ended his formal education at the age of 10 and began working as an apprentice at a newspaper. Running away to Philadelphia at 17, he worked for a printer, later opening his own print shop. Franklin was a man of many talents and interests. As a writer, he published a colonial newspaper and the well-known Poor Richard's Almanack, which contains his famous maxims. He authored many political and economic works, such as The Way To Wealth and Journal of the Negotiations for Peace. He is responsible for many inventions, including the Franklin stove and bifocal eyeglasses. He conducted scientific experiments, proving in one of his most famous ones that lightning and electricity were the same. As a politically active citizen, he helped draft the Declaration of Independence and lobbied for the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. He also served as ambassador to France. He died in April of 1790 at the age of 84.

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