Being a complete stranger to US history, I knew of Benjamin Franklin only in name as a founding father and for the discovery of electricity. I chanced upon Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin early this afternoon, thanks to Google Books. Six hours later, here goes..
The autobiography is his unfinished work, and rather short, running into less than 200 pages. The writing style is simple and linear, making it one of the easiest biographies I've ever come across.
(The wiki page on Franklin and his autobiography have covered all the facts - his childhood as an apprentice in Boston, his later years as an independent printer, his discussion forum, Junto, and his rise as a statesman. I won't describe these.)
The autobiography was an attempt by Franklin to elaborate on his upbringing, his systematic self-training in the art of writing, the philosophy he upheld and hoped to perpetuate, his way of bringing new ideas to the public, and his career as a statesman. Contrary to what I had hoped for, he spoke surprisingly little of his scientific endeavors, but was emphatic about his opposition to patenting any of his inventions, stating that they must be freely available to serve everyone. He was an extremely practical man, and was responsible for a whole range of initiatives - circulating libraries, pavements for pedestrians, firefighting equipment - the list is endless.
Of all his achievements, what impressed me most was his annual, Poor Richard's Almanac. The almanac was inexpensive, and hence readily available to readers from all strata of society. In order to teach some of his philosophical ideas, as well as to instruct people on the daily conduct of their lives, Franklin wrote articles in this almanac, and generously included quotes and words of wisdom - which became widely popular. This is in striking similarity to his contemporary in France, Voltaire. Both were men of letters and frank writing styles. Voltaire used simple, yet sharp satire to mock the religious and philosophical order prevalent in France. Franklin used conventional wisdom and (sometimes, rather dull) humor in an attempt to instill values of industry and frugality in the working class. The first almanac entry appended in the autobiography talked about a priest quoting Poor Richard over and over again in his sermon (one that Franklin happened to overhear). The best part of the priest's discourse was this little piece of irony:
Again, Poor Richard says, "'tis foolish to lay out money in a purchase of repentance;" and yet this folly is practiced everyday at vendues for want of minding the almanac..
The autobiography is his unfinished work, and rather short, running into less than 200 pages. The writing style is simple and linear, making it one of the easiest biographies I've ever come across.
(The wiki page on Franklin and his autobiography have covered all the facts - his childhood as an apprentice in Boston, his later years as an independent printer, his discussion forum, Junto, and his rise as a statesman. I won't describe these.)
The autobiography was an attempt by Franklin to elaborate on his upbringing, his systematic self-training in the art of writing, the philosophy he upheld and hoped to perpetuate, his way of bringing new ideas to the public, and his career as a statesman. Contrary to what I had hoped for, he spoke surprisingly little of his scientific endeavors, but was emphatic about his opposition to patenting any of his inventions, stating that they must be freely available to serve everyone. He was an extremely practical man, and was responsible for a whole range of initiatives - circulating libraries, pavements for pedestrians, firefighting equipment - the list is endless.
Of all his achievements, what impressed me most was his annual, Poor Richard's Almanac. The almanac was inexpensive, and hence readily available to readers from all strata of society. In order to teach some of his philosophical ideas, as well as to instruct people on the daily conduct of their lives, Franklin wrote articles in this almanac, and generously included quotes and words of wisdom - which became widely popular. This is in striking similarity to his contemporary in France, Voltaire. Both were men of letters and frank writing styles. Voltaire used simple, yet sharp satire to mock the religious and philosophical order prevalent in France. Franklin used conventional wisdom and (sometimes, rather dull) humor in an attempt to instill values of industry and frugality in the working class. The first almanac entry appended in the autobiography talked about a priest quoting Poor Richard over and over again in his sermon (one that Franklin happened to overhear). The best part of the priest's discourse was this little piece of irony:
Again, Poor Richard says, "'tis foolish to lay out money in a purchase of repentance;" and yet this folly is practiced everyday at vendues for want of minding the almanac..
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