Benjamin Franklin

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

35508

Title

Benjamin Franklin

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume presents a comprehensive collection of Benjamin Franklin's representative writings, moving beyond the narrow wisdom of Poor Richard to reveal him as a scientist, political theorist, journalist, and humanitarian. Edited by Frank Luther Mott and Chester E. Jorgenson, the text offers a genetic study of Franklin's mind, showcasing his evolution from youth to old age through his correspondence, essays, and scientific observations.

Summary up to 500 words

This anthology offers a comprehensive genetic study of Benjamin Franklin's intellectual and moral development, curated by Frank Luther Mott and Chester E. Jorgenson to move beyond the caricature of Franklin as merely a figure of wit or efficiency. Instead, the collection presents him as a multifaceted economist, educator, political theorist, and disinterested scientist. Arranged in approximate chronological order, the selections trace the evolution of Franklin's mind from his youth to his old age, revealing a unity of thought shaped by scientific deism, Puritanism, and classicism. The volume begins with Franklin's early literary experiments, including the *Dogood Papers* and his seminal *Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity*, a philosophical work never before printed in an edition of his works. It progresses through his prolific journalistic career, featuring facsimiles of *Poor Richard Improved* and *The Way to Wealth*, alongside his correspondence with contemporaries such as Peter Collinson and George Whitefield. These letters illuminate his roles as a printer, journalist, and diplomat. As the narrative advances, the text highlights Franklin's expanding humanitarian and political concerns. Readers encounter his later writings on abolition, his observations on the French Revolution, and his economic theories regarding national wealth and the management of the poor. The collection preserves original spelling variations and punctuation, offering an authentic glimpse into the mind of one of America's most considerable figures. By documenting the full scope of his interests—educational, literary, scientific, and religious—the editors provide essential materials for understanding the essential unity of Franklin's character and the comprehensive growth of his intellect.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History