Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings (LOA #37b)"Writing has been of Great Use to me in the Course of my Life," Benjamin Franklin said in his famous Autobiography. With characteristically calculated understatement, he attributed his enormous and varied successes to “my having learnt a little to scribble.” This Library of America collection of Franklin’s works begins with letters sent from London (1757–1775) describing the events and diplomacy preceding the Revolutionary War. The volume also contains political satires, bagatelles, pamphlets, and letters written in Paris (1776–1785), where he represented the revolutionary United States at the court of Louis XVI, as well as his speeches given in the Constitutional Convention and other works written in Philadelphia (1785–1790), including his last published article, a searing satire against slavery. Also included are the delightfully shrewd prefaces to Poor Richard’s Almanack (1733–1758) and their worldly, pungent maxims that have entered our American culture. Finally, the classic Autobiography, Franklin’s last word on his greatest literary creation—his own invented personality—is presented here in a new edition, completely faithful to Franklin’s manuscript. A companion volume includes the complete “Silence Dogood” series, “Busy-Body” essays, and a generous selection of his early writings, including letters to the press, satires, and pamphlets. LIBRARY OF AMERICA is an independent nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1979 to preserve our nation’s literary heritage by publishing, and keeping permanently in print, America’s best and most significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than 300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are printed on premium acid-free paper that will last for centuries. |
Contents
LETTERS | 9 |
Jane Mecom January 9 1760 | 24 |
Mary Stevenson November? 1760 | 38 |
Copyright | |
43 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings (LOA #37b) Benjamin Franklin No preview available - 2005 |
Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings (LOA #37b) Benjamin Franklin No preview available - 2005 |
Common terms and phrases
Abbé Morellet Account acquainted Affairs affectionate agreable Almanack America appears Art of Virtue Assembly Benjamin Franklin body Books Boston Business Colonies common Comte de Vergennes Congress continue Country David Hartley dear Friend Dear Sir desire endeavour Enemy England Esteem Expence Family Father Favour Franklin give glass GOUT Government Governor Hands happy Honour hope House Jane Mecom John Pringle Joseph Priestley July Keimer kind King late Letter live London Lord Love Madame Helvétius means ment mention Mind Money never Number observe Occasion Opinion Papers Parliament Passy Peace perhaps Persons Philadelphia Piece Place pleas'd Pleasure Poor Richard present printed propos'd Quakers Reason receiv'd received Respect River sent Ship Smyth soon Stamp Act suppose thee thing thou thought thro tion Virtue Water Waves William Temple Franklin wish Words writing