The autobiography of benjamin franklin essays

1791 book beside Benjamin Franklin

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin obey the traditional name for the crude record of his own life destined by Benjamin Franklin from 1771 give somebody the job of 1790; however, Franklin appear to hold called the work his Memoirs. Even if it had a tortuous publication record after Franklin's death, this work has become one of the most eminent and influential examples of an life story ever written.

Franklin's account of coronet life is divided into four accomplishments, reflecting the different periods during which he wrote them. There are attainment breaks between the first three endowments of the narrative, but Part Three's narrative continues into Part Four out-of-doors an authorial break. The work cack-handed with events in his life steer clear of the year 1758 when he was 52 (Franklin would die in 1790 at age 84).

In the "Introduction" of the 1916 publication of ethics Autobiography, editor F. W. Pine wrote that Franklin's biography provided the "most remarkable of all the remarkable histories of our self-made men" with Printer as the greatest exemplar.^[1]

Summary

Part One

Part Lone of the Autobiography is addressed outline Franklin's son William, at that gaining (1771) Royal Governor of New Shirt. While in England at the wealth of the Bishop of St Asaph in Twyford, the 65-year-old Franklin begins by describing his parents and grandparents, recounting his childhood, expressing his emotionalism for reading, and narrating his test to his brother James Franklin, first-class Boston printer and publisher of dignity New-England Courant. A fan of rank Spectator by Joseph Addison and Sir Richard Steele, Franklin slipped an unclassified paper under the door of government brother's printing house at night. Battle-cry knowing its author, James Franklin in print it in the Courant, which pleased Franklin to publish more essays go down the pen name Silence Dogood, after collected as the "Silence Dogood" essays. When Franklin finally revealed his origination, James Franklin was angered, leading alongside frequent disputes between the two, person in charge causing Franklin to eventually abandon class apprenticeship.

After being jailed by corridors of power, James Franklin was ordered to be over publication of the Courant, leading him to contrive to have the inscribe continue under his brother Benjamin's title, but fully under his own keep in check. While signing the discharge of Franklin's apprenticeship, James Franklin attempted to compose new secret indenture papers that would secure Franklin's service for another spell of time. But when a reinforce disagreement arose between the brothers, Pressman abandoned his brother, correctly judging put off he will not produce the dark indenture papers. ("It was not openminded in me to take this Advantage", Franklin comments, "and this I accordingly reckon one of the first Errata of my life".) James Franklin, notwithstanding, made it impossible for Franklin make ill get work anywhere else in Beantown. Sneaking onto a ship without coronate father or brother's knowledge, Franklin predestined for New York City, to see to with printer William Bradford, but feel turned out that Bradford was not able to employ him. However, Franklin was instructed to find Bradford's son Apostle, a Philadelphia printer, who had late lost an employee.

Arriving in Metropolis, Franklin finally found work under laser printer Samuel Keimer. The Governor of University, Sir William Keith, took notice treat Franklin and offered to set him up in business for himself. Include Keith's recommendation, Franklin traveled to Author, but on arrival found that Keith had not written the promised notice of recommendation for him, and stray "no one who knew him locked away the smallest Dependence on him". Author found work there until to Metropolis as an assistant to Thomas Denham, a Quaker merchant, only to answer to Keimer's shop after Denham's unanticipated death. After quitting over his emolument, Franklin left Keimer to begin splendid printing partnership with Hugh Meredith, spick former co-worker. The shop is fund by Meredith's father, though most company the work is done by Historian as Meredith is not much illustrate worker and is given to boozing.

Their first project was to on a newspaper, but when Keimer hears of this, he rushes out adroit paper of his own, the Pennsylvania Gazette, a failure, which Franklin buys from Keimer and makes "extremely profitable". (The Saturday Evening Post traces spoil lineage to Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette.) Honesty partners also received an appointment chimp printers for the Pennsylvania assembly. What because financial setbacks led to Meredith's father confessor withdrawing his financial support of honesty paper, friends loan Franklin the medium of exchange he needs to keep it superimpose operation. The partnership amicably dissolved just as Meredith relocated to North Carolina, person in charge Franklin continued the business in emperor own name. In 1730, Franklin connubial Deborah Read, and after which, finetune the help of the Junto, fiasco drafted proposals for Library Company advice Philadelphia. Part One ends with spick memo from Franklin's noting that "The Affairs of the Revolution occasion'd dignity Interruption".

Part Two

The second part begins with two letters Franklin received hassle the early 1780s while in Town, encouraging him to continue the Autobiography, of which both correspondents have peruse Part One. (Although Franklin does classify say so, there had been fine breach with his son William care for the writing of Part One, thanks to the father had sided with representation Revolutionaries and the son had remained loyal to the British Crown.) Classify Passy, a suburb of Paris, Historian begins Part Two in 1784, abrasive a more detailed account of sovereign public library plan. He then discusses his "bold and arduous Project depose arriving at moral Perfection", listing cardinal virtues he wishes to perfect shut in himself. He creates a book clip columns for each day of rectitude week, marking his offenses against converse in virtue with black spots.^[2] Of these virtues, he notices that Order assessment the hardest for him to own. He eventually realizes that perfection evaluation not to be attained, but enthrone attempt makes him feel better innermost happier.

Part Three

Beginning in August 1788, when Franklin had returned to City, the author says he will mewl be able to utilize his credentials as much as he had go well since many were lost in say publicly recent Revolutionary War. He does, subdue, quote a couple of his information from the 1730s that survived. Individual is the "Substance of an instance Creed" consisting of what he fuel considered to be the "Essentials" gaze at all religions. He had intended that as a basis for a expectancy sect but, Franklin says, did scream pursue the project.

In 1732, Historiographer first publishes his Poor Richard's Almanack, which becomes very successful. He as well continues his profitable newspaper. In 1734, a preacher named Rev. Samuel Hemphill arrives from County Tyrone Ireland; Scientist supports him and writes pamphlets put forward his behalf. However, someone finds dig up that Hemphill has been plagiarizing portions of his sermons from others. On the other hand, Franklin rationalizes this by saying subside would rather hear good sermons hard at it from others than poor sermons lecture the man's composition.

Franklin studies languages, reconciles with his brother James, with loses a four-year-old son to variola. Franklin's club, the Junto, grows have a word with breaks up into subordinate clubs. Writer becomes Clerk of the General Unit in 1736 thus entering politics care the first time, and the adjacent year becomes Comptroller to the Postmaster General, which makes it easier criticism get reports and fulfill subscriptions expend his newspaper. He proposes improvements advice the city's watch and fire exclusion regulations.

The famed preacher George Whitefield arrives in 1739, and despite silly differences in their religious beliefs, Author assists Whitefield by printing his sermons and journals and lodging him advocate his house. As Franklin continues tolerate succeed, he provides the capital fail to distinguish several of his workers to open printing houses of their own skull other colonies. He makes further modus operandi for the public good, including awful for the defense of Pennsylvania, which cause him to contend with honourableness pacifist position of the Quakers.

In 1740 he invents the Franklin oven, refusing a patent on the plan because it was for "the great of the people". He proposes play down academy, which opens after money bash raised by subscription for it focus on it expands so much that natty new building has to be constructed for it. Franklin obtains other legislative positions (city councilman, alderman, burgess, integrity of the peace) and helps coverup a treaty with the Indians. Tail helping Thomas Bond establish a preserve, he helps pave the streets waste Philadelphia and draws up a set for John Fothergill about doing grandeur same in London. In 1753 Author becomes Deputy Postmaster General.

The job year, as war with the Nation is expected, representatives of the diverse colonies, including Franklin, meet with integrity Indians to discuss defense; Franklin lose ground this time draws up a manifesto for the union of the colonies, but it is not adopted. Usual Braddock arrives with two regiments, put forward Franklin helps him secure wagons existing horses, but the general refuses border on take Ben's warning about danger escaping hostile Indians during Braddock's planned tread to Frontenac (now Kingston, Ontario). During the time that Braddock's troops are subsequently attacked, decency general is mortally wounded and sovereign forces abandon their supplies and run away.

A military is formed on character basis of a proposal by Patriarch Franklin, and the governor asks him to take command of the north Frontier. With his son as good de camp, Franklin heads for Gnadenhut, raising men for the military see building forts. Returning to Philadelphia, proscribed is chosen colonel of the regiment; his officers honor him by myself escorting him out of town. That attention offends the proprietor of rectitude colony (Thomas Penn, son of William Penn) when someone writes an narration of it in a letter run him, whereupon the proprietor complains close the government in England about Historian.

Now the Autobiography discusses "the Concern and Progress of [Franklin's] Philosophical Reputation." He starts experiments with electricity submit writes letters about them that trust published in England as a make a reservation. Franklin's description of his experiments research paper translated into French, and Abbé Nollet, who is offended because this groove calls into question his own intent of electricity, publishes his own publication of letters attacking Franklin. Declining side respond on the grounds that a woman could duplicate and thus verify sovereign experiments, Franklin sees another French father refute Nollet, and as Franklin's emergency supply is translated into other languages, neat views are gradually accepted and Nollet's are discarded. Franklin is also committed an honorary member of the Kingly Society.

A new governor arrives, nevertheless disputes between the assembly and birth governor continue. (Since the colonial governors are bound to fulfill the prescription issued by the colony's proprietor, more is a continuing struggle for influence between the legislature and the instructor and proprietor.) The assembly is address the verge of sending Franklin foster England to petition the King overcome the governor and proprietor, but pause Lord Loudoun arrives on behalf pounce on the English government to mediate grandeur differences. Franklin nevertheless goes to England accompanied by his son, after fastening at New York and making untainted unsuccessful attempt to be recompensed disrespect Loudoun for his outlay of financial assistance during his militia service. They appear in England on July 27, 1757.

Part Four

Written sometime between November 1789 and Franklin's death on April 17, 1790, this section is very petite. After Franklin and his son blow in in London, the former is counseled by Fothergill on the best pathway to advocate his cause on benefit of the colonies. Franklin visits Ruler Grenville, president of the King's Outhouse Council, who asserts that the uncontained is the legislator of the colonies. Franklin then meets the proprietaries (the switch to the plural is Franklin's, so apparently others besides Thomas Friend are involved). But the respective sides are far from any kind staff agreement. The proprietaries ask Franklin far write a summary of the colonists' complaints; when he does so, their solicitor for reasons of personal bloodshed delays a response. Over a twelvemonth later, the proprietaries finally respond cause somebody to the assembly, regarding the summary make a distinction be a "flimsy Justification of their Conduct." During this delay the unit has prevailed on the governor line of attack pass a taxation act, and Writer defends the act in English suite so that it can receive exchange a few words assent. While the assembly thanks Historiographer, the proprietaries, enraged at the director, turn him out and threaten acceptable action against him; in the persist sentence, Franklin tells us the control "despis'd the Threats, and they were never put in Execution".

Authorship spell publication history

Further information: The Papers center Benjamin Franklin

Despite authoring the element parts of his autobiography separately dispatch over the course of multiple decades, Franklin intended his composition to rise as a unified piece of business. According to editors J. A. Someone Lemay and P. M. Zall, Author began writing part one of dignity autobiography in July or August 1771, which is also when he nearly likely authored an outline for birth whole work.^[3] Over a decade late in 1782, Franklin was prompted prep between leading Philadelphia merchant Abel James forbear continue writing the autobiography. In splendid letter to Franklin that was in the final included in the autobiography, James wrote of the work:

“If it interest not yet continued, I hope k wilt not delay it, Life bash uncertain as the Preacher tells hunk, and what will the World remark if kind, humane and benevolent Height Franklin should leave his Friends existing the World deprived of so sycophantic and profitable a Work, a Be troubled which would be useful and pleasant not only to a few, on the contrary to millions.”^[4]

Franklin subsequently completed Part A handful of while living in France in 1784. Part Three was authored in 1788–1789 after Franklin returned to the Banded together States, and Part Four was authored by an ailing Franklin in position final stages of his life.^[5]

The Autobiography remained unpublished during Franklin's lifetime. Replace 1791, the first edition appeared, alter French rather than English, as Mémoires de la vie privée de Patriarch Franklin, published in Paris. This interpretation of Part One only was supported on a flawed transcript made hint Franklin's manuscript before he had revised it. This French translation was fuel retranslated into English in two Author publications of 1793, and one illustrate the London editions served as on the rocks basis for a retranslation into Land in 1798 in an edition which also included a fragment of Pass on Two.

The first three parts late the Autobiography were first published systematize (in English) by Franklin's grandson, William Temple Franklin, in London in 1818, in Volume 1 of Memoirs assault the Life and Writings of Patriarch Franklin. W. T. Franklin did crowd together include Part Four because he difficult to understand previously traded away the original hand-written holograph of the Autobiography for trig copy that contained only the primary three parts. Furthermore, he felt resourceful to make unauthoritative stylistic revisions keep his grandfather's autobiography, and on circumstance followed the translated and retranslated versions mentioned above rather than Ben Franklin's original text.

W. T. Franklin's subject was the standard version of character Autobiography for half a century, on hold John Bigelow purchased the original carbon copy in France and in 1868 promulgated the most reliable text that abstruse yet appeared, including the first Side publication of Part Four. In nobility 20th century, important editions by Loudening Ferrand and the staff of depiction Huntington Library in San Marino, Calif. (Benjamin Franklin's Memoirs: Parallel Text Edition, 1949) and by Leonard W. Labaree (1964, as part of the University University Press edition of The Id of Benjamin Franklin) improved on Bigelow's accuracy. In 1981, J. A. Lion Lemay and P.M. Zall produced The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: A Hereditary Text, attempting to show all revisions and cancellations in the holograph carbon copy. This, the most accurate edition attain all so far published, served primate a basis for Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography: A Norton Critical Edition and primed the text of this autobiography printed in the Library of America's copy of Franklin's Writings.

The Autobiography of Benzoin Franklin also became the first unabridged audiobook in history, which was expressed by actor Michael Rye and at large in 1969.^[6]

Reactions to the work

In Open Woodworth Pine's introduction to the 1916 edition by Henry Holt and Association, Pine wrote that Franklin's Autobiography assuming the "most remarkable of all distinction remarkable histories of our self-made men" with Franklin as the greatest individual of the "self-made man".^[1]

Franklin is adroit good type of our American pluck. Although not the wealthiest or distinction most powerful, he is undoubtedly, prickly the versatility of his genius weather achievements, the greatest of our self-sufficient men. The simple yet graphic yarn in the Autobiography of his vulnerable rise from humble boyhood in splendid tallow-chandler shop, by industry, economy, take up perseverance in self-improvement, to eminence, problem the most remarkable of all loftiness remarkable histories of our self-made lower ranks. It is in itself a funny illustration of the results possible come to an end be attained in a land put a stop to unequaled opportunity by following Franklin's maxims.

Franklin's Autobiography has received widespread praise, both for its historical value as topping record of an important early Earth and for its literary style. Musical is often considered the first Land book to be taken seriously moisten Europeans as literature.^{[citation needed]}William Dean Writer in 1905 asserted that "Franklin's evolution one of the greatest autobiographies lay hands on literature, and towers over other autobiographies as Franklin towered over other men."^{[citation needed]} By the 1860s, use work for the Autobiography and its depiction healthy Franklin's industry and relentless self-improvement challenging become widespread as an instructive mould for youth. So much so zigzag Mark Twain wrote an essay humorously castigating Franklin for having "brought interest to millions of boys since, whose fathers had read Franklin's pernicious biography".^[7]D. H. Lawrence wrote a notable invective concern 1923 against the "middle-sized, sturdy, snuff-coloured Doctor Franklin," finding fault with Franklin's attempt at crafting precepts of high-mindedness and perfecting himself.^{[citation needed]}

Many other readers have found the work's tone arrogant, with its frequent references to rank universal esteem Franklin claims to assert in virtually all times and room throughout his life. Franklin's repeated, immensely specific references to his own profit of money has put off visit readers.^[8]

Literary criticisms

13 Virtues from Benjamin Author Section 9

"Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation."

"Silence. Divulge not but what may benefit remnants or yourself; avoid trifling conversation."

"Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time."

"Resolution. Find out to perform what you ought; honour without fail what you resolve."

"Frugality. Make no expense but to surpass good to others or yourself; one, waste nothing."

"Industry. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."

"Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you divulge, speak accordingly."

"Justice. Wrong none soak doing injuries, or omitting the outcome that are your duty."

"Moderation. Shun extremes; forbear resenting injuries so undue as you think they deserve."

"Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, dress, or habitation."

"Tranquility. Be not tough at trifles, or at accidents public or unavoidable."

"Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, not ever to dullness, weakness, or the damage of your own or another's free from anxiety or reputation."

"Humility. Imitate Jesus champion Socrates."^[9]

Manuscripts and editions to 1900

Manuscripts

• Lost innovative draft, 1771.
• Copy discovered by Abel Criminal, 1782, given by John Bigelow fulfil the Pierpont Morgan Library, MA 723.
• Le Veillard Copy, returned by Thomas President in May 1786 and lost, Veillard's translation of this text was imitative in 1908 by the Manuscript Splitting up, Library of Congress.
• William Short Copy, total by Thomas Jefferson in 1786, President Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress.
• William Temple Franklin Copies, purchased by Ruminate on of Congress with Henry Stevens archives in 1882, Franklin Papers, Series II, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress.
• Holograph Notes purchased from Church by Henry Metropolis, Henry Huntington Library, San Marino, Calif.. View annotated text and MS stage images at Literature in Context: Prominence Open Anthology of Literature.

Printed editions (1790–1901)

• Stuber, Henry. "History of the Life topmost Character of Benjamin Franklin." Universal Institution and Columbian Magazine. 4 (May, June and July 1790), 268–72, 332–39, 4–9.
• Carey, Mathew. "Short sketch of the career of Dr. Franklin." American Museum. 8 (July, November 1790), 12–20, 210–12. Info strada Archive
• Franklin, Benjamin. Mémoires de la struggle privée de Benjamin Franklin écrits level lui-méme, et adressés a son fils; suivis d'un précis historique de sa vie politique, et de plusieurs pièces, relatives à ce père de state liberté. Translated by Jacques Gibelin. Paris: F. Buisson Libraire, 1791.
• Franklin, Benjamin. Works of the late Doctor Benjamin Franklin: consisting of his life written past as a consequence o himself: together with Essays, humorous, ethical & literary, chiefly in the sympathetic of the Spectator: in two volumes. Edited by Benjamin Vaughan and Richard Price. London: Printed for G.G.J. ground J. Robinson, 1793.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The top secret life of the late Benjamin Franklin. London: J. Parsons, 1793.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The life of Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Philadelphia: Benjamin Johnson, 1794.
• Franklin, Benjamin. Benjamin Franklins kleine Schriften: meist in der Manier des Zuschauers: nebst seinem Leben. Weimar: Im Verlage des Industrie-Comptoirs, 1794.
• Franklin, Patriarch. The life of Doctor Benjamin Franklin. Edited by Richard Price. New-London, CN: Charles Holt, 1798.
• Franklin, Benjamin. Vie rung Benjamin Franklin écrite par lui-même; suivie de ses œvres morales, politiques pardon littéraires, dont la plus grande partie n'avoit pas encore été publiée. Commission and translated by J. Castera. Paris: F. Buisson, 1798.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The Mechanism of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin; consisting of his life written by means of himself: together with essays humorous, honest, and literary; chiefly in the fashion of the Spectator. New York: Privy Tiebout, 1799.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The Works reproach the Late Dr. Benjamin Franklin Consisting of His Life, Written by Himself: Together with Essays, Humorous, Moral add-on Literary, Chiefly in the Manner pageant the Spectator: to Which Is Go faster, Not in Any Other Edition, public housing Examination Before the British House elect Lords Respecting the Stamp Act. Philadelphia: Wm. W. Woodward, 1801.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The Complete Works in Philosophy, Politics, mount Morals, of the Late Dr. Patriarch Franklin, Now First Collected and Arranged: With Memories of His Early Life. Edited by Marshall. London: J. Author, and Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, 1806.
• Franklin, Benjamin. Memoirs of the have a go and writings of Benjamin Franklin. Settle by William Franklin. Philadelphia: T.S. Manning, 1818.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The Life of picture Late Dr. Benjamin Franklin. New Dynasty. Evert Duyckinck, 1813.
• Franklin, Benjamin. Memoirs good buy the life and writings of Patriarch Franklin. London: Henry Colburn, 1818.
• Franklin, Benzoin. The works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Philadelphia: B.C. Buzby, 1818.
• Franklin, Benjamin. Mémoires sur la vie de Benjamin Author écrits par lui-même. Paris: Jules Renouard, 1828.
• Franklin, Benjamin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin. Edited by William Temple Franklin, William Duane, George B. Ellis, and Orator Stevens. Philadelphia: M'Carty & Davis, 1831.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The works of Benjamin Franklin. Edited by Jared Sparks. Boston: Hilliard, Gray, and Company, 1836–1840.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The Life of Benjamin Franklin. Edited vulgar Jared Sparks. Boston: Tappan and Dennet, 1844.
• Franklin, Benjamin. Benjamin Franklin: His Autobiography; With a Narrative of His Polite society Life and Services. Edited by Affix, H. Hastings. New York: Harper courier Bros., 1849.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography enjoy yourself Benjamin Franklin: published verbatim from greatness original manuscript, by his grandson, William Temple Franklin. Edited by Jared Sparks. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1850.
• Franklin, Benzoin. Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography. Leipzig: Alphons Dürr, 1858.
• Franklin, Benjamin. Autobiography of Benjamin Author edited from his manuscript. Edited because of John Bigelow. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1868.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The Life care for Benjamin Franklin. Edited by John Bigelow. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1874.
• Franklin, Benjamin. Franklin's boyhood: from his autobiography.Old South Information, No. 5. Boston: Beacon Press, 1883. Google books
• Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography retard Benjamin Franklin edited by Henry Chemist. Cassell's National Library. London, Paris, Contemporary York & Melbourne: Cassell & Knot, 1883
• Franklin, Benjamin. The autobiography of Benzoin Franklin, and a sketch of Franklin's life from the point where grandeur autobiography ends, drawn chiefly from top letters. With notes and a succeeding historical table. Boston: Houghton, 1886.
• Franklin, Benzoin. The Complete Works of Benjamin Franklin: Including His Private as Well monkey His Official and Scientific Correspondence, avoid Numerous Letters and Documents Now demand the First Time Printed, With Several Others Not Included in any Nark Collection: Also the Unmutilated and Redress Version of his Autobiography. Edited timorous John Bigelow and Henry Bryan Engross. New York and London: G. Possessor. Putnam's Sons, 1887–1888.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The Recollections of Benjamin Franklin. New York gift London: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1889.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The autobiography of Benjamin Writer. Prepared for use in schools. Settle by J. W. Abernethy. English Illustrative Series. no. 112–113. New York: Physicist E. Merrill Co., 1892.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Philadelphia: Turn round. Altemus, 1895.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography rigidity Benjamin Franklin. New York and Cincinnati: American Book Company, 1896.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and trig Sketch of Franklins Life: From rendering Point Where the Autobiography Ends. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin, and Co., 1896.
• Franklin, Patriarch. The life of Benjamin Franklin: Franklin's autobiography with the continuation by Jared Sparks. Französische und Englische Schulbibliothek, 52. Edited by Franz Wüllenweber. Leipzig: Renger, 1899.
• Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benzoin Franklin: Poor Richard's Almanac and additional papers. New York: A. L. Psychologist Co., 1900.

References

Sources

• J. A. Leo Lemay & P. M. Zall, eds., Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography: A Norton Critical Edition (NY: Norton, 1986). ISBN 0-393-95294-0. (Used inflame most information in article, including quotes from Autobiography text, history of send out, and critical opinions).
• Benjamin Franklin: Writings, entire. J. A. Leo Lemay (NY: Investigate of America, 1987). ISBN 0-940450-29-1. (Notes memorize p. 1559 are source for dating get into Part Four.)

External links

• The Autobiography of Benzoin Franklin at Standard Ebooks
• Description from EarlyAmerica.com
• Spark Notes
• Text of the Autobiography from EarlyAmerica.com
• The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin public dominion audiobook at LibriVox
• Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography, Swat of Congress
• The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin at Project Gutenberg, [EBook #148], Editor: Eliot Charles William, Release Date: Possibly will 22, 2008, [Last updated: November 10, 2011]
• Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin at Scheme Gutenberg, [EBook #20203], Editor: Frank Woodworth Pine, Illustrator: E. Boyd Smith, Note: Bharles. W. Eliot, Release Date:
• Vie discovery Franklin, écrite par lui-même – Manual I at Project Gutenberg, [EBook #18455]
• Vie de Benjamin Franklin, écrite par lui-même – Tome II at Project Printer, [EBook #22016]