Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Often described as “the wisest American,” Benjamin Franklin’s account of his life offers an extraordinary glimpse into an individual whose extensive range of interests was matched only by his myriad accomplishments. But, as this autobiography succinctly proves, Franklin was much more than a Founding Father and exceptional statesman who helped draft the Declaration of Independence. He was also a gifted author, inventor, and scientist.

Hailed as one of the genre's masterpieces, Franklin’s self-portrait sparkles with the infectious enthusiasm, boundless energy, and razor-sharp wit that best defined the man. Franklin takes the reader on an emotive and charming recollection of his childhood. He also discusses his philosophy toward life, including his unwavering commitment to a high moral standard. Franklin’s recollections of his experiments with electricity, time served as a printer, and his experiences in the French and Indian War also cast the great man in a new light.

Franklin’s memoirs were a true labor of love and occupied him from 1771 until he died in 1790. Written in an authentic and unaffected style, Franklin’s autobiography is a famous and influential firsthand account of a man who changed the course of history.