Summary In April of 1724, carrying a flattering letter about himself from Governor Keith, Franklin sailed to Boston, ostensibly to visit friends. His appearance delighted his family, which had not heard from him for seven months. His brother James resented his new suit, new watch, and ample pocket money, however, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Section 4 – A Young Man about TownSummary and Analysis Part 1: Section 3 – The Arrival in Philadelphia
Summary In New York, Benjamin applied for work to a printer, William Bradford, who advised him to go to Philadelphia, where Bradford’s son Andrew, also a printer, had recently lost his helper; so Benjamin started by boat to travel the 100 miles to Philadelphia. On the way, a squall tore […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Section 3 – The Arrival in PhiladelphiaSummary and Analysis Part 1: Section 2 – The Apprentice
Summary At the age of 12, Benjamin reluctantly signed an indenture contract, to work without pay (except for his last year of service) until he was 21. But he learned his printing house duties quickly, and much more besides. From friends apprenticed to booksellers, he was able to borrow books […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Section 2 – The ApprenticeSummary and Analysis Part 1: Section 1 – Franklin’s Family Background
Summary Franklin begins by stating five reasons for writing his Autobiography. First, since he has always enjoyed anecdotes about his ancestors, he hopes his own life story will interest his son. Second, since he was a poor boy who found fame and fortune, he hopes his story will provide others […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Section 1 – Franklin’s Family BackgroundCharacter List
Benjamin Franklin The author, writing his Autobiography in his old age, reveals himself to be something of a “renaissance man,” skilled in many fields: business, science, public affairs, and diplomacy. He believes in hard work, honesty, and the capacity of all men to improve themselves. He possesses a subtle sense […]
Read more Character ListAbout The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Introduction Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790, printer, scientist, statesman, wrote an Autobiography that poses a riddle never completely solved: How could such an incomplete, disjointed, inaccurate, mangled manuscript be so perennially popular? Translated into dozens of languages and reprinted in hundreds of editions, it continues to be one of the most successful […]
Read more About The Autobiography of Benjamin FranklinBook Summary
Benjamin Franklin was the youngest son and 15th of 17 children of Josiah Franklin, a soap and candle maker who had immigrated to Boston from Northamptonshire, England. Because he disliked his father’s trade but loved reading, he was apprenticed at the age of 12 to his brother James, a printer. […]
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