The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin.
Chapter 1
The Story of the Autobiography
This introductory chapter recounts the fascinating history of how Franklin's Autobiography was written and the adventures of its original manuscript. It describes how Franklin began the work as a letter to his son in 1771, how the manuscript was lost and recovered, and how it was eventually published in various editions, including a faulty French translation. The chapter also details the manuscript's journey through the hands of Abel James, Le Veillard, John Bigelow, and finally to Henry E. Huntington, and highlights the restoration of the authentic text by Bigelow, who corrected over twelve hundred changes made by Franklin's grandson.
Chapter 2
Epigraph
Benjamin Franklin's will includes a bequest of one hundred pounds sterling to the free schools of Boston, to be used as a perpetual fund for awarding silver medals as honorary rewards to students.
Chapter 3
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin recounts his early life, his apprenticeship to his brother James, his self-education in writing, his escape to Philadelphia, and his early career as a printer. He describes his moral and practical development, his founding of the Junto, and his establishment of the first subscription library in America.
Chapter 4
I: Ancestry and Early Youth in Boston
Benjamin Franklin begins his autobiography by addressing his son, explaining his desire to record his life's circumstances for posterity. He reflects on his ancestry, noting that his family had lived in Ecton, Northamptonshire for three hundred years. He describes his father Josiah Franklin, a tallow-chandler and soap-boiler, and his mother Abiah. Franklin recounts his early education at a grammar school and later a writing school, his dislike for his father's trade, and his strong inclination for the sea. He shares an anecdote about building a wharf with stolen stones, which taught him that nothing useful is dishonest. He also details his father's character, emphasizing his sound judgment, mechanical genius, and role as an arbitrator, which influenced Franklin's own development.
Chapter 5
II: Beginning Life as a Printer
Franklin recounts his early love of reading, his apprenticeship to his brother James, his early attempts at poetry, his self-education in writing and arithmetic, his vegetarian diet for frugality and study, his dispute with John Collins, his management of the New England Courant during his brother's imprisonment, the scheme to publish under his own name, and his eventual decision to run away to New York at age seventeen.
Chapter 6
Arrival in Philadelphia
Franklin recounts his difficult journey from Boston to Philadelphia, including a storm at sea, a night spent in a leaky boat, a fever cured by drinking cold water, and his arrival in Philadelphia dirty and hungry with only a Dutch dollar and a shilling. He describes his first encounters with printers Bradford and Keimer, his lodging at Mr. Read's house, and his growing acquaintance with local young readers. An incident involving his brother-in-law Captain Holmes leads to a letter urging his return to Boston, but Franklin defends his decision to leave.
Chapter 7
IV: First Visit to Boston
Franklin returns to Boston after seven months, bearing a letter from Governor Keith recommending that his father set him up in the printing business. His father refuses, judging him too young. Franklin then returns to Philadelphia, but not before a falling out with his brother James and a troubling incident involving money entrusted to him by Mr. Vernon. Governor Keith then promises to finance the venture himself, proposing that Franklin travel to England to select equipment.
Chapter 8
Early Friends in Philadelphia
Franklin describes his early friendships and intellectual pursuits in Philadelphia, including his relationship with Keimer, his courtship of Deborah Read, and his literary circle with Osborne, Watson, and Ralph. The chapter highlights a literary deception where Ralph's poem is passed off as Franklin's to test Osborne's criticism.
Chapter 9
First Visit to London
Franklin recounts his first stay in London, working as a compositor, writing a metaphysical pamphlet, befriending booksellers and intellectuals, and experiencing a falling out with James Ralph over a woman. He describes his frugal habits, his influence among fellow printers, and his growing network of acquaintances.
Chapter 10
VII: Beginning Business in Philadelphia
Franklin returns to Philadelphia after his voyage, finds changes in personal relationships and business landscape, partners with Hugh Meredith to start his own printing house, forms the Junto club for mutual improvement, and reflects on his moral and religious development.
Chapter 11
Business Success and First Public Service
Franklin details his advocacy for paper currency, which led to a profitable printing contract, and his establishment of the Philadelphia public library. He emphasizes his industrious and frugal habits, his religious principles, and the importance of self-education.
Chapter 12
Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection
Franklin conceives a bold project to achieve moral perfection by systematically cultivating thirteen virtues. He devises a daily examination method using a little book with columns for each day and rows for each virtue, marking faults with black spots. He arranges the virtues in order, starting with Temperance, and plans to focus on one per week. A Quaker friend's observation of his pride leads him to add Humility to the list. He adopts a modest conversational style to avoid contradiction, which proves advantageous in gaining influence. The chapter also includes a preserved paper from 1731 outlining observations on parties and public affairs.
Chapter 13
X: Poor Richard’s Almanac and Other Activities
Franklin describes the creation and success of Poor Richard's Almanac, which he used to promote industry and frugality through proverbs. He also discusses his newspaper's ethical standards, a partnership in Charleston, the Hemphill controversy, his language studies, the expansion of the Junto through subordinate clubs, his election as clerk of the General Assembly, and his appointment as postmaster.
Chapter 14
Interest in Public Affairs
Franklin turns his attention to public affairs, beginning with small matters like reforming the city watch and establishing the Union Fire Company. He also reflects on his growing business success, his partnerships, and his friendship with the itinerant preacher George Whitefield, whose oratory he admires and analyzes.
Chapter 15
XII: Defense of the Province
Franklin addresses the lack of defense and education in Pennsylvania, proposing an academy and founding a Philosophical Society. He writes 'Plain Truth' to rally a voluntary militia, leading to over ten thousand subscribers. He declines the colonelcy, helps build a battery, and borrows cannon from Governor Clinton. He also invents the Pennsylvania fireplace, refusing a patent, and discusses the Quakers' pacifist principles and the Dunkers' modesty.
Chapter 16
XIII: Public Services and Duties (1749–1753)
Franklin turns his attention to establishing an academy in Philadelphia, publishing proposals and organizing subscriptions. He negotiates the acquisition of a large building originally built for George Whitefield's followers, converting it into the academy that later becomes the University of Philadelphia. With a new partner, David Hall, managing his printing business, Franklin devotes himself to philosophical studies and electrical experiments, but is soon drawn into public service as a justice of the peace, common councilman, alderman, and assemblyman. He also serves as a commissioner for a treaty with Native Americans at Carlisle, and initiates civic improvements such as street paving and lamp design.
Chapter 17
Albany Plan of Union
In 1754, as war with France loomed, a congress of colonial commissioners assembled at Albany to confer with the Six Nations. Benjamin Franklin, appointed as a commissioner for Pennsylvania, drafted a plan for uniting the colonies under a single government for defense and general purposes. His plan was preferred by the committee, unanimously adopted by the Congress, and transmitted to the Board of Trade and colonial assemblies. However, it was rejected by the assemblies for having too much prerogative and by England for being too democratic. Franklin reflects that the plan, if adopted, might have prevented the later taxation disputes and the bloody conflict that followed.
Chapter 18
XV: Quarrels with the Proprietary Governors
Franklin recounts his interactions with Governor Morris, who despite a promise to avoid disputes, quickly fell into conflict with the Assembly. Franklin describes the ongoing battle between the governor and the Assembly over proprietary instructions, particularly regarding tax exemptions for the proprietors' estates. He also details how he helped Mr. Quincy of Massachusetts secure financial aid for an attack on Crown Point by devising a method using interest-bearing orders from the Loan Office, bypassing the governor's refusal.
Chapter 19
XVI: Braddock’s Expedition
Franklin recounts General Braddock's ill-fated expedition, his own role in procuring wagons and horses for the army, the defeat and its aftermath, and the political maneuvering in the Pennsylvania Assembly regarding defense funding and taxation of proprietary estates.
Chapter 20
XVII: Franklin’s Defense of the Frontier
Franklin is appointed by the governor to lead the defense of the Northwestern frontier against Indian attacks. He raises over 500 men, with his son as aid-de-camp, and marches to Gnadenhut to build a fort. He observes the Moravians' defensive preparations and reflects on their exemption from military duties. After the fort is built, he returns to Philadelphia to find the militia association thriving, is elected colonel of the regiment, and later faces political backlash from the proprietor over a ceremonial escort. He also advises on military strategy following Braddock's defeat and declines a commission to lead an expedition against Fort Duquesne.
Chapter 21
Scientific Experiments
Franklin recounts the rise of his philosophical reputation, beginning with electric experiments in Boston in 1746 and the gift of a glass tube from Peter Collinson. He describes his own experiments, the involvement of Mr. Kinnersley, and the eventual recognition of his work by the Royal Society after initial skepticism. The chapter covers the translation of his papers into French, the controversy with Abbé Nollet, the successful lightning experiments at Marly and with a kite, and his election to the Royal Society with the Copley Medal.
Chapter 22
Agent of Pennsylvania in London
Franklin recounts his appointment as agent for the Pennsylvania Assembly to petition the king against proprietary instructions, his interactions with Governor Denny and Lord Loudoun, the delays in his departure, and his subsequent negotiations in London with the proprietaries and their solicitor over tax disputes and the act taxing proprietary estates.
Chapter 23
Endnotes
This chapter contains the endnotes for the Autobiography, providing editorial commentary, historical context, and clarifications on various passages. It includes notes on Franklin's marriage, the structure of the Autobiography, his moral perfection plan, and other details such as the founding of the Junto, the publication of Poor Richard's Almanac, and his electrical experiments.
