Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

by Benjamin Franklin

Overview

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin stands as one of the most celebrated self-narratives in American literature. Written in several parts between 1771 and 1790, Franklin's Autobiography offers not merely a record of events, but a carefully crafted moral and social document. While unfinished, the work provides an invaluable window into both the personal development of a leading figure of the Enlightenment and the cultural formation of early America.

Structured in four parts, Franklin's Autobiography moves from the deeply personal to the broadly prescriptive. Part One, composed during Franklin's stay in England in 1771, recounts his early life in Boston, his apprenticeship with his brother James, and his eventual flight to Philadelphia. This section reflects Franklin's Protestant ethic—diligence, frugality, and self-improvement—as he narrates his youthful ambitions with a tone of humble candor. What appears on the surface as a plain story of a self-made man is, upon closer inspection, an Enlightenment exercise in shaping public virtue through private example.

Part Two, written in 1784 during a visit to France, introduces the famous "Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection," in which Franklin identifies thirteen virtues, including temperance, industry, and humility, and describes a methodical approach to self-betterment. This plan, which includes a daily journal for tracking moral progress, exemplifies the Enlightenment belief in reason, order, and the perfectibility of man. Franklin's fusion of classical ideals with modern practicality not only reflects his own philosophical tendencies but also serves as a model for civic virtue in the new American Republic.

In Part Three, written around 1788, Franklin recounts his return to Philadelphia, his engagement with civic institutions such as the Junto club, the founding of the Pennsylvania Gazette, and the establishment of key social projects including a public library and the University of Pennsylvania. The emphasis here shifts from personal development to public service, as Franklin presents himself as a benefactor of the community. His narrative becomes increasingly symbolic, portraying the American individual as an agent of social progress.

The final portion, written shortly before Franklin's death in 1790, is fragmentary but continues the theme of civic engagement. Though incomplete, it underscores Franklin's vision of the virtuous citizen whose life serves both private ambition and public good.

Franklin's rhetorical strategy is subtle and calculated. Though he adopts the voice of modesty, his account is structured to emphasize achievement, ingenuity, and moral rectitude. The Autobiography thus operates on two levels: as a factual record of Franklin's rise from humble beginnings to international fame, and as a paradigmatic tale designed to inspire imitation among readers, particularly American youth.

From a literary standpoint, Franklin's style is notable for its clarity, accessibility, and wit. Eschewing the ornate diction of his contemporaries, he opts for plain prose that reflects both Puritan simplicity and Enlightenment rationality. This stylistic choice enhances the didactic tone of the work, lending it an air of sincerity and making its moral lessons more palatable to a wide audience.

The Autobiography also has a complex publication history. It was first published in French translation in 1791, with English editions following in the early 19th century. The fragmented nature of its composition and its posthumous release contributed to a longstanding critical interest in its editorial history and textual integrity.

Critically, the Autobiography has been interpreted in diverse ways. Scholars have read it as an emblem of American individualism, a blueprint for democratic citizenship, a spiritual successor to Puritan conversion narratives, and even as a proto-capitalist manifesto. Its alignment with the values of hard work, self-reliance, and upward mobility has rendered it a canonical expression of the "American Dream." Yet modern critics have also interrogated its omissions—particularly Franklin's silence on the moral contradictions of slavery and his complex political positions—arguing that the text constructs a carefully managed self-image rather than an unvarnished truth.

In conclusion, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin remains an indispensable text in American letters. It embodies the intellectual, moral, and cultural aspirations of the 18th century while laying the groundwork for the American self-made mythos. At once personal and universal, it reveals as much about the author's inner life as about the ideals of a nascent nation. Its enduring appeal lies in Franklin's masterful blend of autobiography, moral philosophy, and civic instruction, making it both a historical artifact and a timeless guide to personal and public virtue.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940184376172
Publisher:	Benjamin Franklin
Publication date:	05/12/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) was a polymath whose influence spans the realms of politics, science, literature, and civic reform. Born in Boston to a large family of modest means, Franklin embodied the Enlightenment ideal of the self-made man. Though he received only a few years of formal education, his insatiable intellectual curiosity and industriousness propelled him to become one of the most admired figures of the 18th century, both in America and abroad.

Franklin began his career as a printer’s apprentice to his older brother, eventually establishing his own successful printing business in Philadelphia. His Pennsylvania Gazette and the satirical Poor Richard’s Almanack (published under the pseudonym Richard Saunders) made him a household name. These publications combined humor, wisdom, and moral instruction, contributing to the development of a distinctly American vernacular and ethical sensibility.

As a scientist and inventor, Franklin made groundbreaking contributions to the study of electricity, famously conducting experiments with lightning and devising the lightning rod. He also invented bifocal glasses, the Franklin stove, and contributed to oceanography through his charting of the Gulf Stream. His scientific fame earned him membership in prestigious European societies and established his reputation as one of the foremost thinkers of his age.

In civic life, Franklin was a tireless organizer and reformer. He founded America's first public lending library, the University of Pennsylvania, and the first fire department in Philadelphia. His advocacy for civic virtue and public education underscored his belief in social progress through community engagement.

Politically, Franklin was instrumental in the American Revolution and the founding of the United States. He served as a diplomat to Great Britain before the Revolution and later as Ambassador to France, where his charm and intellect helped secure critical support for the American cause. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a participant in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Franklin’s philosophical outlook was grounded in deism, pragmatism, and Enlightenment rationalism. He believed in the power of reason, the importance of moral self-discipline, and the potential for human and societal improvement. His writings reflect these convictions, especially The Autobiography, which is both a record of personal growth