Franklin published newspapers, almanacs, and pamphlets at his own risk quite often, but only rarely did he publish a book, because of the greater investment in paper and binding that books entailed. Benjamins mother was abiah folger, the second wife of. Hes generally portrayed as a child and as a budding superhero, albeit inexperienced. A letter from benjamin franklin to his sister written on october 25, 1779. Benjamin franklin by cassie mayer, 2008, heinemann library edition, in english benjamin franklin 2008 edition open library. Benjamin franklin published experiments and observations on electricity in 1751. Among benjamin s siblings were his older brother james and his younger sister jane. Benjamin franklin was a printer, publisher, author, inventor, scientist, and diplomat. The autobiography of benjamin franklin by benjamin. I wish he had kept writing past 1757, but what he wrote is uplifting and enjoyable. And i purchased it with a bunch of other books on my grandfathers estate. Benjamin franklin was known as an inventor and a thinker. Benjamin franklin biography benjamin franklin biography and list of works benjamin franklin books benjamin franklin biography benjamin franklin biography and list of works benjamin franklin books. An american life paperback bargain price, june 1, 2004.
In 1758, for his twentyfifth almanac, franklin created a clever preface that repeated a. Unwrap a complete list of books by benjamin franklin and find books available. These maxims typically counsel thrift and courtesy, with a. Discount prices on books by benjamin franklin, including titles like the papers of benjamin franklin. Since 1983, the independent book publishers association ibpa, the largest notforprofit trade association of independent publishers, has been a leader in member advocacy, education, and tools for success. Novel sales at the time depended on the shifting tastes of the leisure class, and were an unreliable source of income for a publisher. Benjamin franklins book of virtues books of american wisdom hardcover. Benjamin franklin s most popular book is the autobiography of benjamin franklin.
Franklin comes across as a cheerful, honest, curious man whose main desire in life is to improve himself and the world around him. He was the tenth son of soap maker, josiah franklin. Benjamin franklin, one of our founding fathers, had a lifelong love of books. Jill lepore is the david woods kemper 41 professor of american history at harvard university and a staff writer at the new yorker. Ibpa benjamin franklin awards home ibpa book award. Not hitherto published benjamin franklins autobiography wit and wisdom from. He creates a book with columns for each day of the week, in which he marks. Benjamin franklins book of virtues books of american wisdom by benjamin franklin sep 27, 2016. Her books include book of ages, a finalist for the national book. He helped draft the declaration of independence and later was involved in negotiating the peace treaty with britain that ended the revolutionary war. Franklin benjamin richards is a fictional character appearing in american comic books published by marvel comics. Benjamin franklin books biography and list of works. The only american of the colonial period to earn a european reputation as a natural philosopher, he is best remembered in the united states as a patriot and diplomat. Benjamin franklin, poor richard improved 1732 and the way to wealth 1785 as a writer, benjamin franklin was best known for the wit and wisdom he shared with the readers of his popular almanac, poor richard, under the pseudonym richard saunders.
Benjamin franklin, 170690, american statesman, printer, scientist, and writer, b. He acquired them throughout his life, for, as he noted in his autobiography, from a child i was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in. The autobiography of benjamin franklin a personal look at the life of benjamin franklin through boyhood and prewar london days. Open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit, building a digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Benjamin franklin tells the story of the famous statesmans remarkable life, from his early childhood and upbringing through his scientific experiments, his politically active years in the u. In the letter, benjamin franklin refers to false reports about him written in the press, his enjoyment of the french ladies, his request that his sister send him some fine soap to give as gifts in france, and john paul joness victories at sea near england.
Josiah intended for benjamin to enter into the clergy. Franklin published newspapers, almanacs, and pamphlets at his own risk quite often, but only rarely did he publish a book, because of the greater investment in. Although franklin eliminated the authors moiety from his overhead, the book was still a financial disappointment. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. He was also a statesman, an inventor, a printer, and an authora man of such amazingly varied talents that some people claimed he had magical powers. See all books authored by benjamin franklin, including the autobiography of benjamin franklin, and the autobiography and other writings on politics, economics, and virtue, and more on. One of the foremost of the founding fathers, he helped draft the declaration of independence and was one of its signers, he represented the united states in france during the american revolution, and he was a delegate to the constitutional convention. Ben franklin was the scientist who, with the help of a kite, discovered that lightning is electricity. The character is usually depicted as a supporting character in fantastic four.
Franklin sprinkles a healthy dose of humility and wit throughout his prose. Benjamin franklin books list of books by author benjamin. Benjamin franklins most popular book is the autobiography of benjamin franklin. One of the first books published about electricity, it awarded franklin international acclaim. The autobiography of benjamin franklin blessed with enormous talents and the energy and ambition to go with them, franklin was a statesman, author, inventor, printer, and scientist. The first book franklin published at his own risk was the first american edition of a new version of the metrical psalms by isaac watts. Benjamin franklin 17061790 was a statesman, author, publisher, scientist, inventor, diplomat, a founding father and a leading figure of early american history. Hardcover, dust jacket, illustrated, 551 pages, 8vo. The story of benjamin and his discovery with electricity there once was a great scientist and his name was benjamin franklin. From his first appearance in print, in the guise of the eccentric, opinionated, voluble silence dogood 1722, to his last published article, a searing satire against slavery 1790, he covered every aspect of the question of america with radiant clarity. Although it had a tortuous publication history after franklins death, this work. From 1728 to 1748, franklin printed just sixteen books at his own risk and expense that we know were issued bound.
Isaac watts, the psalms of david, imitated, seventh edition philadelphia. Books from the papers of benjamin franklin sort by. Benjamin franklin has 824 books on goodreads with 2272 ratings. He was still working on it when he died in 1790 and it was published posthumously, entitled an autobiography of benjamin franklin. The 17 year old who thinks she might be weird for sticking her nose into books rather than shot glasses, the 33 year old wouldbe writer, who feels he needs to sign a book contract before he can start writing, and anyone who thinks theyre ahead of their time. Offering up wisdom in poor richards almanac and the drafts of the declaration of independence, benjamin franklin retells his own story with charming detail in.
In an interview after the hardcover edition of benjamin franklin was published, isaacson revealed that he had first started reading about franklins diplomatic activities when he was working on his acclaimed biography of henry kissinger because he wanted to understand the peculiar mixture of. He was one of seventeen children born to josiah franklin, and one of ten born by josiahs second wife, abiah folger. Benjamin franklin book by walter isaacson official. He started composing what became the autobiography of benjamin franklin in 1771. Benjamin franklin was born on january 17th, 1706, on milk street in boston, massachusetts benjamin frankl. The autobiography of benjamin franklin is the traditional name for the unfinished record of his own life written by benjamin franklin from 1771 to 1790. Benjamin franklinpublished book antiques roadshow pbs. Electric ben the amazing life and times of benjamin franklin by robert byrd and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The autobiography of benjamin franklin by benjamin franklin. Benjamin franklin was born in boston on january 17, 1706.
Benjamin franklin has 825 books on goodreads with 227323 ratings. See all books authored by benjamin franklin, including the autobiography of benjamin franklin, and the autobiography and other writings on politics. An edition of the book published over thirty years after the original makes it difficult to discern who the author was franklin placed his portrait on. Benjamin franklin books biography and list of works author of. List of books and articles about benjamin franklin. Statesman, scientist, philosopher, printer, and civic leader, benjamin franklin was also the most powerful writer of his time. He made many contributions to the america we know today, and his.
Books by benjamin franklin author of benjamin franklin. Benjamin franklin was born on milk street, in boston, massachusetts, on january 17, 1706, and baptized at old south meeting house. The book had a complicated and controversial publication history. Benjamin franklin books list of books by author benjamin franklin. The autobiography of benjamin franklin dover thrift editions. Enjoy reading the introductory notes before diving in to his writings it offers fascinating details to better understand such an iconic american figure. Benjamin franklin is the author of books such as the autobiography of. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published.
Benjamin franklin 17061790 was a printer, writer, inventor, scientist, diplomat, and statesman. Check out martin gammons antiques roadshow appraisal of this benjamin franklin published book from richmond, hour 1. Benjamin franklin books list of books by benjamin franklin. Benjamin franklin biography benjamin franklin biography and list of works. His formula for successful living by franklin, benjamin and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Strangely enough, the first volume only was first published in french, in paris in 1791. Benjamin franklins classic poor richards almanac is chiefly remembered for being a repository of franklins aphorisms and proverbs, many of which live on in and are commonly used today, and have been newly typeset and included in this edition. The biography of benjamin franklin one of the founding. Benjamin franklin reader walter isaccson 2003 ebay. Selected special collections benjamin franklin collection papers and publications of benjamin franklin, 850 volumes. In its pages, he coins the terms battery, conductor, and positive and negative charge. Benjamins mother was abiah folger, the second wife of josiah. Over this time, the ibpa benjamin franklin award for excellence in book publishing has become one of the highest national honors for.
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