Introduction

We Americans devour eagerly any piece of writing that purports to tell us the secret of success in life; yet how often we are disappointed to find nothing but commonplace statements, or receipts that we know by heart but never follow. Most of the life stories of our famous and successful men fail to inspire because they lack the human element that makes the record real and brings the story within our grasp. While we are searching far and near for some Aladdin's Lamp to give coveted fortune, there is ready at our hand if we will only reach out and take it, like the charm in Milton's Comus,

We Americans eagerly devour any writing that claims to tell the secret of success in life. Yet we are often disappointed to find only common statements, or tips we know by heart but never follow. Most life stories of our famous, successful men fail to inspire. They lack the human element that makes the account real and brings the story within our reach. While we search far and wide for some Aladdin's Lamp to give us the fortune we want, the charm is already in our hand if we will only reach out and take it, like the charm in Milton's Comus.

the interesting, human, and vividly told story of one of the wisest and most useful lives in our own history, and perhaps in any history. In Franklin's Autobiography is offered not so much a ready-made formula for success, as the companionship of a real flesh and blood man of extraordinary mind and quality, whose daily walk and conversation will help us to meet our own difficulties, much as does the example of a wise and strong friend. While we are fascinated by the story, we absorb the human experience through which a strong and helpful character is building.

the interesting, human, and vividly told story of one of the wisest and most useful lives in our own history, and perhaps in any history. Franklin's Autobiography offers not so much a ready-made formula for success as the companionship of a real, flesh-and-blood man of extraordinary mind and character. His daily conduct and conversation will help us meet our own difficulties, much as the example of a wise and strong friend does. While the story fascinates us, we absorb the human experience through which a strong and helpful character is being built.

The thing that makes Franklin's Autobiography different from every other life story of a great and successful man is just this human aspect of the account. Franklin told the story of his life, as he himself says, for the benefit of his posterity. He wanted to help them by the relation of his own rise from obscurity and poverty to eminence and wealth. He is not unmindful of the importance of his public services and their recognition, yet his accounts of these achievements are given only as a part of the story, and the vanity displayed is incidental and in keeping with the honesty of the recital. There is nothing of the impossible in the method and practice of Franklin as he sets them forth. The youth who reads the fascinating story is astonished to find that Franklin in his early years struggled with the same everyday passions and difficulties that he himself experiences, and he loses the sense of discouragement that comes from a realization of his own shortcomings and inability to attain.

What makes Franklin's Autobiography different from every other life story of a great and successful man is exactly this human side of the account. Franklin told the story of his life, as he himself says, for the benefit of his descendants. He wanted to help them by telling how he rose from obscurity and poverty to eminence and wealth. He is not unaware of the importance of his public services and the recognition they won. Yet he gives his accounts of these achievements only as part of the story. The vanity he shows is incidental and fits the honesty of the telling. Nothing in Franklin's method and practice, as he sets them out, is impossible. The young person who reads this fascinating story is astonished to find that Franklin, in his early years, struggled with the same everyday passions and difficulties that the reader himself experiences. He loses the discouragement that comes from realizing his own shortcomings and his inability to achieve.

There are other reasons why the Autobiography should be an intimate friend of American young people. Here they may establish a close relationship with one of the foremost Americans as well as one of the wisest men of his age.

There are other reasons why the Autobiography should be a close friend to young Americans. In it they can form a personal connection with one of the country's leading figures. He was also one of the wisest men of his time.

The life of Benjamin Franklin is of importance to every American primarily because of the part he played in securing the independence of the United States and in establishing it as a nation. Franklin shares with Washington the honors of the Revolution, and of the events leading to the birth of the new nation. While Washington was the animating spirit of the struggle in the colonies, Franklin was its ablest champion abroad. To Franklin's cogent reasoning and keen satire, we owe the clear and forcible presentation of the American case in England and France; while to his personality and diplomacy as well as to his facile pen, we are indebted for the foreign alliance and the funds without which Washington's work must have failed. His patience, fortitude, and practical wisdom, coupled with self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of his country, are hardly less noticeable than similar qualities displayed by Washington. In fact, Franklin as a public man was much like Washington, especially in the entire disinterestedness of his public service.

The life of Benjamin Franklin matters to every American. The main reason is the part he played in securing the independence of the United States and in establishing it as a nation. Franklin shares with Washington the honors of the Revolution and of the events leading to the birth of the new nation. Washington was the animating spirit of the struggle in the colonies, while Franklin was its ablest champion abroad. To Franklin's convincing reasoning and sharp satire we owe the clear and forceful presentation of the American case in England and France. To his personality and diplomacy, and to his fluent pen, we owe the foreign alliance and the funds. Without them Washington's work would surely have failed. His patience, fortitude, and practical wisdom, together with his self-sacrificing devotion to his country's cause, are hardly less striking than the same qualities in Washington. In fact, as a public man Franklin was much like Washington, especially in the complete unselfishness of his public service.

Franklin is also interesting to us because by his life and teachings he has done more than any other American to advance the material prosperity of his countrymen. It is said that his widely and faithfully read maxims made Philadelphia and Pennsylvania wealthy, while Poor Richard's pithy sayings, translated into many languages, have had a world-wide influence.

Franklin is also interesting to us because, by his life and teachings, he has done more than any other American to advance the material prosperity of his countrymen. It is said that his maxims, widely and faithfully read, made Philadelphia and Pennsylvania wealthy. Poor Richard's pithy sayings, translated into many languages, have had a worldwide influence.

Franklin is a good type of our American manhood. Although not the wealthiest or the most powerful, he is undoubtedly, in the versatility of his genius and achievements, the greatest of our self-made men. The simple yet graphic story in the Autobiography of his steady rise from humble boyhood in a tallow-chandler shop, by industry, economy, and perseverance in self-improvement, to eminence, is the most remarkable of all the remarkable histories of our self-made men. It is in itself a wonderful illustration of the results possible to be attained in a land of unequaled opportunity by following Franklin's maxims.

Franklin is a strong example of American character. He was not the wealthiest or the most powerful. But in the range of his talent and achievements, he is clearly the greatest of our self-made men. His Autobiography tells a simple but vivid story of his steady rise from a humble boy working in a tallow-chandler shop. He advanced by hard work, frugality, and constant self-improvement. His rise to prominence is the most remarkable of all the stories of our self-made men. It is a clear example of what can be achieved in a land of unequaled opportunity by following Franklin's principles.

Franklin's fame, however, was not confined to his own country. Although he lived in a century notable for the rapid evolution of scientific and political thought and activity, yet no less a keen judge and critic than Lord Jeffrey, the famous editor of the Edinburgh Review, a century ago said that "in one point of view the name of Franklin must be considered as standing higher than any of the others which illustrated the eighteenth century. Distinguished as a statesman, he was equally great as a philosopher, thus uniting in himself a rare degree of excellence in both these pursuits, to excel in either of which is deemed the highest praise."

Franklin's fame, however, was not confined to his own country. He lived in a century notable for rapid changes in scientific and political thought and activity. Still, Lord Jeffrey was a noted critic and the editor of the Edinburgh Review. He said a century ago that in one view Franklin's name stood higher than any other of the eighteenth century. Jeffrey wrote that Franklin was as distinguished a statesman as he was a philosopher. He combined a rare excellence in both pursuits. Excelling in either is widely regarded as the highest praise.

Franklin has indeed been aptly called "many-sided." He was eminent in science and public service, in diplomacy and in literature. He was the Edison of his day, turning his scientific discoveries to the benefit of his fellow-men. He perceived the identity of lightning and electricity and set up the lightning rod. He invented the Franklin stove, still widely used, and refused to patent it. He possessed a masterly shrewdness in business and practical affairs. Carlyle called him the father of all the Yankees. He founded a fire company, assisted in founding a hospital, and improved the cleaning and lighting of streets. He developed journalism, established the American Philosophical Society, the public library in Philadelphia, and the University of Pennsylvania. He organized a postal system for the colonies, which was the basis of the present United States Post Office. Bancroft, the eminent historian, called him "the greatest diplomatist of his century." He perfected the Albany Plan of Union for the colonies. He is the only statesman who signed the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Peace with England, and the Constitution. As a writer, he has produced, in his Autobiography and in Poor Richard's Almanac, two works that are not surpassed by similar writing. He received honorary degrees from Harvard and Yale, from Oxford and St. Andrews, and was made a fellow of the Royal Society, which awarded him the Copley gold medal for improving natural knowledge. He was one of the eight foreign associates of the French Academy of Science.

Franklin has indeed been aptly called "many-sided." He was eminent in science and public service, in diplomacy and in literature. He was the Edison of his day, turning his scientific discoveries to the benefit of his fellow men. He saw that lightning and electricity are the same thing, and he set up the lightning rod. He invented the Franklin stove, still widely used, and refused to patent it. He had a masterly shrewdness in business and practical affairs. Carlyle called him the father of all the Yankees. He founded a fire company, helped found a hospital, and improved the cleaning and lighting of streets. He developed journalism. He established the American Philosophical Society, the public library in Philadelphia, and the University of Pennsylvania. He organized a postal system for the colonies, which was the basis of the present United States Post Office. Bancroft, the eminent historian, called him "the greatest diplomatist of his century." He perfected the Albany Plan of Union for the colonies. He is the only statesman who signed all four of these: the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Peace with England, and the Constitution. As a writer, he produced two works unsurpassed by any writing of their kind, his Autobiography and Poor Richard's Almanac. He received honorary degrees from Harvard and Yale, and from Oxford and St. Andrews. He was made a fellow of the Royal Society, which awarded him the Copley gold medal for improving natural knowledge. He was one of the eight foreign associates of the French Academy of Science.

The careful study of the Autobiography is also valuable because of the style in which it is written. If Robert Louis Stevenson is right in believing that his remarkable style was acquired by imitation then the youth who would gain the power to express his ideas clearly, forcibly, and interestingly cannot do better than to study Franklin's method. Franklin's fame in the scientific world was due almost as much to his modest, simple, and sincere manner of presenting his discoveries and to the precision and clearness of the style in which he described his experiments, as to the results he was able to announce. Sir Humphry Davy, the celebrated English chemist, himself an excellent literary critic as well as a great scientist, said: "A singular felicity guided all Franklin's researches, and by very small means he established very grand truths. The style and manner of his publication on electricity are almost as worthy of admiration as the doctrine it contains."

Careful study of the Autobiography is also valuable because of the style in which it is written. Robert Louis Stevenson believed that his own remarkable style was acquired by imitation. If he is right, then a young person who wants to gain the power to express ideas clearly, forcefully, and interestingly cannot do better than to study Franklin's method. Franklin's fame in the scientific world was due almost as much to his manner as to the results he was able to announce. He presented his discoveries in a modest, simple, and sincere way, and he described his experiments in a precise and clear style. Sir Humphry Davy, the celebrated English chemist, was himself an excellent literary critic as well as a great scientist. He said: "A singular felicity guided all Franklin's researches, and by very small means he established very grand truths. The style and manner of his publication on electricity are almost as worthy of admiration as the doctrine it contains."

Franklin's place in literature is hard to determine because he was not primarily a literary man. His aim in his writings as in his life work was to be helpful to his fellow-men. For him writing was never an end in itself, but always a means to an end. Yet his success as a scientist, a statesman, and a diplomat, as well as socially, was in no little part due to his ability as a writer. "His letters charmed all, and made his correspondence eagerly sought. His political arguments were the joy of his party and the dread of his opponents. His scientific discoveries were explained in language at once so simple and so clear that plow-boy and exquisite could follow his thought or his experiment to its conclusion." ¹

Franklin's place in literature is hard to determine because he was not primarily a literary man. His aim in his writings, as in his life's work, was to be helpful to his fellow men. For him writing was never an end in itself, but always a means to an end. Yet his success as a scientist, a statesman, and a diplomat, and in society as well, was due in no small part to his ability as a writer. "His letters charmed everyone and made people eager to correspond with him. His political arguments were the joy of his party and the dread of his opponents. He explained his scientific discoveries in language so simple and so clear that a plowboy and a fashionable dandy alike could follow his thought or his experiment to its conclusion." ¹

As far as American literature is concerned, Franklin has no contemporaries. Before the Autobiography only one literary work of importance had been produced in this country—Cotton Mather's Magnalia, a church history of New England in a ponderous, stiff style. Franklin was the first American author to gain a wide and permanent reputation in Europe. The Autobiography, Poor Richard, Father Abraham's Speech or The Way to Wealth, as well as some of the Bagatelles, are as widely known abroad as any American writings. Franklin must also be classed as the first American humorist.

As far as American literature is concerned, Franklin has no contemporaries, no American writers of his own time to set beside him. Before the Autobiography, only one literary work of importance had been produced in this country. That was Cotton Mather's Magnalia, a church history of New England written in a heavy, stiff style. Franklin was the first American author to win a wide and lasting reputation in Europe. The Autobiography, Poor Richard, Father Abraham's Speech (also called The Way to Wealth), and some of the Bagatelles are as widely known abroad as any American writings. Franklin must also be ranked as the first American humorist.

English literature of the eighteenth century was characterized by the development of prose. Periodical literature reached its perfection early in the century in The Tatler and The Spectator of Addison and Steele. Pamphleteers flourished throughout the period. The homelier prose of Bunyan and Defoe gradually gave place to the more elegant and artificial language of Samuel Johnson, who set the standard for prose writing from 1745 onward. This century saw the beginnings of the modern novel, in Fielding's Tom Jones, Richardson's Clarissa Harlowe, Sterne's Tristram Shandy, and Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield. Gibbon wrote The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Hume his History of England, and Adam Smith the Wealth of Nations.

English literature in the eighteenth century was marked by the rise of prose. Periodical literature reached its peak early in the century with Addison and Steele's The Tatler and The Spectator. Pamphleteers flourished throughout the period. The plain prose of Bunyan and Defoe gradually gave way to the more elegant and artificial language of Samuel Johnson. He set the standard for prose writing from 1745 onward. The century also saw the beginnings of the modern novel. Examples include Fielding's Tom Jones, Richardson's Clarissa Harlowe, Sterne's Tristram Shandy, and Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield. Gibbon wrote The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Hume wrote his History of England. Adam Smith wrote the Wealth of Nations.

In the simplicity and vigor of his style Franklin more nearly resembles the earlier group of writers. In his first essays he was not an inferior imitator of Addison. In his numerous parables, moral allegories, and apologues he showed Bunyan's influence. But Franklin was essentially a journalist. In his swift, terse style, he is most like Defoe, who was the first great English journalist and master of the newspaper narrative. The style of both writers is marked by homely, vigorous expression, satire, burlesque, repartee. Here the comparison must end. Defoe and his contemporaries were authors. Their vocation was writing and their success rests on the imaginative or creative power they displayed. To authorship Franklin laid no claim. He wrote no work of the imagination. He developed only incidentally a style in many respects as remarkable as that of his English contemporaries. He wrote the best autobiography in existence, one of the most widely known collections of maxims, and an unsurpassed series of political and social satires, because he was a man of unusual scope of power and usefulness, who knew how to tell his fellow-men the secrets of that power and that usefulness.

In the simplicity and vigor of his style Franklin more closely resembles the earlier writers. In his early essays he was no mere inferior imitator of Addison. In his many parables, moral allegories, and apologues he showed Bunyan's influence. But Franklin was essentially a journalist. His swift, terse style most resembles Defoe. Defoe was the first great English journalist and a master of the newspaper narrative. Both writers used plain, vigorous expression. They used satire, burlesque, and quick wit. Here the comparison must end. Defoe and his contemporaries were authors. Their work was writing, and their success rested on the imaginative power they displayed. Franklin made no claim to authorship. He wrote no imaginative works. He only incidentally developed a style that was in many ways as remarkable as theirs. He wrote the finest autobiography in existence. He produced one of the most widely known collections of maxims. He also wrote an unsurpassed series of political and social satires. He did this because he had an unusual range of talent and practical usefulness. He knew how to tell people the secrets of that talent and usefulness.

The account of how Franklin's Autobiography came to be written and of the adventures of the original manuscript forms in itself an interesting story. The Autobiography is Franklin's longest work, and yet it is only a fragment. The first part, written as a letter to his son, William Franklin, was not intended for publication; and the composition is more informal and the narrative more personal than in the second part, from 1730 on, which was written with a view to publication. The entire manuscript shows little evidence of revision. In fact, the expression is so homely and natural that his grandson, William Temple Franklin, in editing the work changed some of the phrases because he thought them inelegant and vulgar.

The account of how Franklin's Autobiography came to be written and of the adventures of the original manuscript is an interesting story itself. The Autobiography is Franklin's longest work. Yet it is only a fragment. The first part was written as a letter to his son, William Franklin. It was not meant for publication. The writing is more informal and the narrative more personal than in the second part, which covers 1730 onward. That second part was written with publication in mind. The entire manuscript shows little revision. The expression is so plain and natural that his grandson, William Temple Franklin, changed some phrases when editing the work because he thought them inelegant and vulgar.

Franklin began the story of his life while on a visit to his friend, Bishop Shipley, at Twyford, in Hampshire, southern England, in 1771. He took the manuscript, completed to 1731, with him when he returned to Philadelphia in 1775. It was left there with his other papers when he went to France in the following year, and disappeared during the confusion incident to the Revolution. Twenty-three pages of closely written manuscript fell into the hands of Abel James, an old friend, who sent a copy to Franklin at Passy, near Paris, urging him to complete the story. Franklin took up the work at Passy in 1784 and carried the narrative forward a few months. He changed the plan to meet his new purpose of writing to benefit the young reader. His work was soon interrupted and was not resumed until 1788, when he was at home in Philadelphia. He was now old, infirm, and suffering, and was still engaged in public service. Under these discouraging conditions the work progressed slowly. It finally stopped when the narrative reached the year 1757. Copies of the manuscript were sent to friends of Franklin in England and France, among others to Monsieur Le Veillard at Paris.

Franklin began writing his life story in 1771 while visiting his friend Bishop Shipley in Twyford, Hampshire, England. When he returned to Philadelphia in 1775, he took the manuscript with him. It covered events up to the year 1731. He left it there with his other papers when he went to France the next year. During the confusion of the Revolution it disappeared. Twenty-three pages of the closely written manuscript fell into the hands of Abel James, an old friend. James sent a copy to Franklin at Passy near Paris and urged him to finish the story. Franklin took up the work again at Passy in 1784 and carried the narrative forward a few months. He changed his plan. His new purpose was to write for the benefit of the young reader. The work was soon interrupted and was not resumed until 1788, when he was back home in Philadelphia. He was now old, infirm, and suffering, and he was still engaged in public service. Under these discouraging conditions the work progressed slowly. It finally stopped when the narrative reached the year 1757. Copies of the manuscript were sent to Franklin’s friends in England and France, among them Monsieur Le Veillard in Paris.

The first edition of the Autobiography was published in French at Paris in 1791. It was clumsily and carelessly translated, and was imperfect and unfinished. Where the translator got the manuscript is not known. Le Veillard disclaimed any knowledge of the publication. From this faulty French edition many others were printed, some in Germany, two in England, and another in France, so great was the demand for the work.

The first edition of the Autobiography was published in French in Paris in 1791. It was clumsily translated and remained imperfect and unfinished. Nobody knows where the translator obtained the manuscript. Le Veillard denied any knowledge of the publication. Because demand was so great, many other editions were printed from this faulty French version. Some appeared in Germany, two in England, and another in France.

In the meantime the original manuscript of the Autobiography had started on a varied and adventurous career. It was left by Franklin with his other works to his grandson, William Temple Franklin, whom Franklin designated as his literary executor. When Temple Franklin came to publish his grandfather's works in 1817, he sent the original manuscript of the Autobiography to the daughter of Le Veillard in exchange for her father's copy, probably thinking the clearer transcript would make better printer's copy. The original manuscript thus found its way to the Le Veillard family and connections, where it remained until sold in 1867 to Mr. John Bigelow, United States Minister to France. By him it was later sold to Mr. E. Dwight Church of New York, and passed with the rest of Mr. Church's library into the possession of Mr. Henry E. Huntington. The original manuscript of Franklin's Autobiography now rests in the vault in Mr. Huntington's residence at Fifth Avenue and Fifty-seventh Street, New York City.

Meanwhile, the original manuscript of the Autobiography began a varied and adventurous journey. Franklin left it with his other papers to his grandson William Temple Franklin. He named Temple Franklin his literary executor. In 1817, when Temple Franklin prepared his grandfather's works for publication, he sent the original manuscript of the Autobiography to Le Veillard's daughter. He exchanged it for her father's copy. He probably thought the clearer transcript would serve better as a printer's copy. The manuscript then passed into the Le Veillard family and their connections. It stayed there until 1867, when it was sold to Mr. John Bigelow, United States Minister to France. Bigelow later sold it to Mr. E. Dwight Church of New York. When Mr. Church's library changed hands, the manuscript became part of Mr. Henry E. Huntington's collection. The original manuscript of Franklin's Autobiography now rests in the vault of Mr. Huntington's residence on Fifth Avenue and Fifty-seventh Street, New York City.

When Mr. Bigelow came to examine his purchase, he was astonished to find that what people had been reading for years as the authentic Life of Benjamin Franklin by Himself, was only a garbled and incomplete version of the real Autobiography. Temple Franklin had taken unwarranted liberties with the original. Mr. Bigelow says he found more than twelve hundred changes in the text. In 1868, therefore, Mr. Bigelow published the standard edition of Franklin's Autobiography. It corrected errors in the previous editions and was the first English edition to contain the short fourth part, comprising the last few pages of the manuscript, written during the last year of Franklin's life. Mr. Bigelow republished the Autobiography, with additional interesting matter, in three volumes in 1875, in 1905, and in 1910. The text in this volume is that of Mr. Bigelow's editions.²

When Mr. Bigelow examined his purchase, he was astonished. The book people had been reading for years as the authentic Life of Benjamin Franklin by Himself turned out to be only a garbled and incomplete version of the real Autobiography. Temple Franklin had taken unwarranted liberties with the original. Mr. Bigelow says he found more than twelve hundred changes in the text. In 1868, therefore, Mr. Bigelow published the standard edition of Franklin's Autobiography. It corrected errors in earlier editions. It was the first English edition to include the short fourth part. That part contains the last few pages of the manuscript, written during the final year of Franklin's life. Mr. Bigelow republished the Autobiography with additional interesting material. He released it in three volumes in 1875, 1905, and 1910. The text in this volume is that of Mr. Bigelow's editions.²

The Autobiography has been reprinted in the United States many scores of times and translated into all the languages of Europe. It has never lost its popularity and is still in constant demand at circulating libraries. The reason for this popularity is not far to seek. For in this work Franklin told in a remarkable manner the story of a remarkable life. He displayed hard common sense and a practical knowledge of the art of living. He selected and arranged his material, perhaps unconsciously, with the unerring instinct of the journalist for the best effects. His success is not a little due to his plain, clear, vigorous English. He used short sentences and words, homely expressions, apt illustrations, and pointed allusions. Franklin had a most interesting, varied, and unusual life. He was one of the greatest conversationalists of his time.

The Autobiography has been reprinted in the United States many scores of times and translated into all the languages of Europe. It has never lost its popularity and is still in constant demand at circulating libraries. The reason for this popularity is not hard to find. In this work Franklin told the story of a remarkable life in a remarkable way. He showed hard common sense and a practical knowledge of the art of living. He selected and arranged his material, perhaps unconsciously, with a journalist's unerring instinct for the best effects. His success is due in no small part to his plain, clear, vigorous English. He used short sentences and short words, homely expressions, apt illustrations, and pointed allusions. Franklin had a most interesting, varied, and unusual life. He was one of the greatest conversationalists of his time.

His book is the record of that unusual life told in Franklin's own unexcelled conversational style. It is said that the best parts of Boswell's famous biography of Samuel Johnson are those parts where Boswell permits Johnson to tell his own story. In the Autobiography a no less remarkable man and talker than Samuel Johnson is telling his own story throughout.

His book records that unusual life. It is told in Franklin's unmatched conversational style. Many people think the best parts of Boswell's biography of Samuel Johnson let Johnson tell his own story. In the Autobiography, an equally remarkable man and conversationalist tells his own story throughout.

The Gilman Country School, Baltimore, September, 1916.

The Gilman Country School, Baltimore, September 1916.

Pages 1 and 4 of The Pennsylvania Gazette, the first number after Franklin took control. Reduced nearly one-half. Reproduced from a copy at the New York Public Library.

Pages 1 and 4 of The Pennsylvania Gazette. This is the first issue after Franklin took control. Reduced to nearly half size. Reproduced from a copy at the New York Public Library.