20 books
—
3 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” as Want to Read:
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
by
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, with Introduction and Notes, edited by Charles W Eliot, LLD., was originally published by P F Collier & Son Company in 1909. This edition covers the life of Benjamin Franklin from 1706 to 1757, with an introductory note by the editor and, at the end, a listing of chief events in Franklin's life dated by year.
This book was converted f ...more
This book was converted f ...more
Kindle Edition, 151 pages
Published
July 1st 1994
by Public Domain Books
(first published 1791)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

“...there will be sleeping enough in the grave....”
- Benjamin Franklin

Even in death, I can't imagine Franklin resting. There is always just too much to do, too many questions to ask, too many books to read, too much to explore.
My brother recommended this book to me about 30 years ago. I'm not sure why I never read it until now. Part of it must be the feeling that Benjamin Franklin would always just be there. He wasn't going anywhere. He seems to permeate so much of what it means to be an Ameri ...more
- Benjamin Franklin

Even in death, I can't imagine Franklin resting. There is always just too much to do, too many questions to ask, too many books to read, too much to explore.
My brother recommended this book to me about 30 years ago. I'm not sure why I never read it until now. Part of it must be the feeling that Benjamin Franklin would always just be there. He wasn't going anywhere. He seems to permeate so much of what it means to be an Ameri ...more

This is a curious little book. As an autobiography it suffers from the fact that it leaves out nearly all of the most interesting parts of Franklin’s life. This is a bit like reading an autobiography of John Lennon that ends a few years before he meets Paul McCartney. I’m not saying there is no interest in what is here, but any sort of version of such a man’s life that ends well short of the American Revolution is more than a little heart breaking.
There are very amusing parts of this – particula ...more
There are very amusing parts of this – particula ...more

Mar 29, 2020
Tharindu Dissanayake
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites-autobiography
"Early to Bed, and early to rise, makes a Man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
"We may give Advice, but we cannot give Conduct."
"There will be sleeping enough in the Grave."
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, written by himself, is one of the must-read books for all, and considered by most to be the most influential autobiography ever written. As one of the founding fathers of United States, and titled 'The First American,' Benjamin Franklin was one of the most ingenious men in the recorded histo ...more
"We may give Advice, but we cannot give Conduct."
"There will be sleeping enough in the Grave."
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, written by himself, is one of the must-read books for all, and considered by most to be the most influential autobiography ever written. As one of the founding fathers of United States, and titled 'The First American,' Benjamin Franklin was one of the most ingenious men in the recorded histo ...more

Apr 26, 2009
Isis
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of early-mid 18th century
The charm and pleasure of this book, for me, is that it is not about the famous Benjamin Franklin, the inventor and one of the fathers of the American Revolution, but that it is about the young Franklin; about his education and apprenticeship as a printer to his brother, about his love of books and his determination to improve his writing skills, about how he uprooted himself from his birthplace and family and moved to Philadelphia, and began a business there. He meets rogues and swindlers, has
...more

This autobiography written by Benjamin Franklin himself is more of a chronological diary of his achievements than an autobiography, as not much have been discussed about his life but mostly it tell us about the work done by him.
He started working with his brother from a very young age at his printing press, while writing prose at the same time. Seeing that he couldn’t progress much in Boston, moved to Philadelphia and started his own business - a printing house and a newspaper.
Apart from his bu ...more
He started working with his brother from a very young age at his printing press, while writing prose at the same time. Seeing that he couldn’t progress much in Boston, moved to Philadelphia and started his own business - a printing house and a newspaper.
Apart from his bu ...more

Man oh man, that dude had some mad skills. This book is written somewhat sloppily - changing narrative styles throughout, carrying on from time to time, and not even finishing it - but the content is truly amazing. Why didn't I learn in school about how awesome Ben Franklin was? In addition to his kite flying escapade, he invented a better type of wood burning furnace, and a better street lamp. He created the first public university in America (U. Penn), helped create one of the first public hos
...more

Jan 28, 2009
Ilyn Ross
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone
Dr. Benjamin Franklin is the embodiment of Thomas Edison’s “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” He came from a poor family. His sensible father was of good character. Dr. Franklin was a deist. What God has given man, he purposefully, methodically, and continually used to improve himself. A self-driven independent thinker, he endeavored to improve, not only mentally and financially, but morally. He did it for his own sake, and the fruits became the glory of mankind.
Dr. Franklin resol ...more
Dr. Franklin resol ...more

Ben Franklin did it all. He was an incredible self-made human. Why wouldn't someone want to read more about him?
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is fairly short and to the point. It took a while to come to grips with Franklin's olde timey speech, but once I got up to speed (or slowed down?) with it, I really started to enjoy his walk down memory lane. He was a natural storyteller. Seriously, was there anything this dude couldn't do?
Not only was he industrious, but he made an admirable mora ...more
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is fairly short and to the point. It took a while to come to grips with Franklin's olde timey speech, but once I got up to speed (or slowed down?) with it, I really started to enjoy his walk down memory lane. He was a natural storyteller. Seriously, was there anything this dude couldn't do?
Not only was he industrious, but he made an admirable mora ...more

2020-11-18 I read this book about 35 years or so ago, give or take.
I found it and continue to regard it as an absolute gem!
Such great advice for improving one's own character, habits, performance.
One of the greatest books ever.
A book that can be referred to or reread over and over with great benefit.
For some books (like this) that I have not read/reread recently, my reviews can be short like this. But often for books that I have recently read, they can be longer, since I like to add some quotati ...more
I found it and continue to regard it as an absolute gem!
Such great advice for improving one's own character, habits, performance.
One of the greatest books ever.
A book that can be referred to or reread over and over with great benefit.
For some books (like this) that I have not read/reread recently, my reviews can be short like this. But often for books that I have recently read, they can be longer, since I like to add some quotati ...more

This is a wonderfully inspiring Read. It's a small book packed with great insights into virtuous living. His curiosity and observation of the world around him lead him to live an amazingly full life in which he accomplished much for the good of mankind. All this combined with his wit and writing style make it enjoyable to read and truly encourages the reader towards self improvement. I'm actually reading it again right now. It's great for new year's resolutions.
...more

Aug 31, 2011
James Henderson
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
autobiography,
american-history
In the summer of 1771, while he was living in a country home in England, Benjamin Franklin began an autobiography that he was destined to never finish. He prepared an outline of a final section that he did not complete, but the four parts that he did finish represent one of the seminal documents of the enlightenment.
He was a statesman, an author, an inventor, a scientist, a printer, and the list goes on and on when describing Benjamin Franklin. As an autobiographer he also demonstrated his geni ...more
He was a statesman, an author, an inventor, a scientist, a printer, and the list goes on and on when describing Benjamin Franklin. As an autobiographer he also demonstrated his geni ...more

Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is perfect except for one thing, its only half finished!Franklin was prevented from completing it, by becoming involved in the American Revolution.Later going as a diplomat to Paris, to get French help.Born in Boston in 1706, to Josiah Franklin and his wife Abiah. A good student in his youth but the family lacked the money to send him to college. His father was a candle maker and Benjamin after many false starts became an apprentice to his brother James in the p
...more

This book was a referral from a friend who became the CFO of his company through hard work and sacrifice. He credits this book, above any other he read while pursuing his MBA, for his success. Franklin has a 'favorite uncle' way of giving you advice that will set you on the path to success.
...more

Mar 10, 2019
Christine Boyer
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
American history buffs.
I've always loved this guy, but to have him talk to me in his own words gave me goosebumps! Franklin certainly was the original "jack of all trades" and it was fun to hear him talk about his days as a young man, getting started, before and leading up to the time of the Revolution - which is probably what most people associate him with. He was so ahead of his time. I started to tab all the quotes of ideas he was proposing that we hear the current, leading self-help gurus propose today. Franklin a
...more

I have always been very skeptical of self-help books. I read The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey on the recommendation of a friend. Covey openly admitted that Benjamin Franklin's autobiography guided his ideas. So, I decided to go right to the source.
There is no better life book, and it is so effective because it does not seek to be a self-help book. This autobiography is really just a look into the life of a person who sought only improvement in his own person and enga ...more
There is no better life book, and it is so effective because it does not seek to be a self-help book. This autobiography is really just a look into the life of a person who sought only improvement in his own person and enga ...more

This book is based on correspondence and journals that Benjamin Franklin kept and then wrote this autobiography.
This book covers 3 different time periods in his life: 1771 when he was in England, 1783 in France, and 1788 in America. Franklin passed on before he finished writing his full autobiography.
Born in Boston, Franklin was born into a very large family, which was common in those days as childhood mortality was quite high. He was the 15th of a family that would eventually have 17 children. ...more
This book covers 3 different time periods in his life: 1771 when he was in England, 1783 in France, and 1788 in America. Franklin passed on before he finished writing his full autobiography.
Born in Boston, Franklin was born into a very large family, which was common in those days as childhood mortality was quite high. He was the 15th of a family that would eventually have 17 children. ...more

This was exciting, once I found out it really was his autobiography! I couldn't believe it at 1st. Turned out to be divided roughly into two parts, the 1st starting with his family history and younger years, and the second coming later after a break. He was in his 80s, and his public had encouraged him to continue. The 2nd part is a little slower but still informative. The book is not very long, not a huge tome. It stops all of a sudden, before the revolutionary years. Maybe he just couldn't fin
...more

Jan 25, 2008
Niesha
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Niesha by:
Heidi Shetka
There is so much to learn from Benjamin Franklin and his autobiography and other writings. Please read it yourself. It is well worth your time. I was inspired by his genius, curiosity in all subjects and in people.

Never have I read a more boring and terribly written book. I started it because it was a recommended reading from one of Robin Sharma's books (which was pretty good) but my only explanation of why it made it to this list is that neither Robin Sharma, nor anyone of his editors have read it.
...more

Mar 02, 2014
Roy Lotz
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
biography-memoir-travel,
americana
Benjamin Franklin is the closest America will ever get to producing a Buddha. There is just something unreal about Ben, like he stepped right out of a myth. Of course, this is perhaps an image he cultivated, but he cultivated it well.
What I mean by that Buddha comment is that I think Benjamin Franklin epitomizes a certain, distinctively Yankee notion of virtue. First and foremost, it is the virtue of industriousness. Benjamin Franklin never let himself have an idle moment. Every day was subdiv ...more
What I mean by that Buddha comment is that I think Benjamin Franklin epitomizes a certain, distinctively Yankee notion of virtue. First and foremost, it is the virtue of industriousness. Benjamin Franklin never let himself have an idle moment. Every day was subdiv ...more

Benjamin Franklin invented the American Fire Department, wood stoves, and the American system of government. You would think, then, that he'd invent some way of writing an autobiography that wasn't boring as hell. But no. Franklin loves his books, and he also loves self-improvement (the best parts of this are his bizarre charts where he rates himself on a 13-point scale of morality). But despite all of his attention to rhetoric this book does not, in my opinion, rise to the occasion of chronicli
...more

I'm curious to see now what biographers may have said of Mr. Franklin (he seems not to have qite whipped that vice of his, Pride!)
...more

Mar 26, 2013
Samantha
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction,
audiobook
This was a very interesting and informative book made up of letters from Benjamin Franklin to his son over the course of several decades. I listened to it on audiobook which was neat because I sometimes felt like Franklin was sitting right next to me sharing stories of his life. Given the personal letter style, I felt like he became a friend rather than just someone I was reading about. Franklin shares what he learned from his long and active life not hesitating to admit where he made mistakes t
...more

May 09, 2019
Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
audiobook,
history,
4-stars,
bios,
borrowed-prime-kll-ku,
set-in-1700s,
read-in-2019
What didn't this man do? He started a printing press, a library, a fire brigade, the Poor Man's Almanac, drew up the plans for a school system that would eventually become the University of Pennsylvania, invented the Franklin oven and helped give us electricity, and got the roads in his hometown paved to save everyone from having to sweep up dust all day - and that's BEFORE the revolution. Which is sadly when this biography ends, since he passed away before he could get to the real meaty parts o
...more

I really enjoyed this book far more than I anticipated. I've read a lot about Benjamin Franklin but to read his story in his own words makes it really come to life.
He had a very down-to-earth writing style. I know that some of the words would have been modernised a little at some point in the publication history but you still get a very 18th century style without it bogging down with a lot of needless filler.
My problem with this book though is that there was quite a lot not included. He writes ...more
He had a very down-to-earth writing style. I know that some of the words would have been modernised a little at some point in the publication history but you still get a very 18th century style without it bogging down with a lot of needless filler.
My problem with this book though is that there was quite a lot not included. He writes ...more

Sep 27, 2015
Jeremy
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
sociological,
politics
Franklin's life was completely nuts. And while his image has become little more than a goofy caricature in our age, the times that he lived and worked in were fraught with bizarre religious strife, nascent colonial revolutionary sentiment, doomed military expeditions, and kooky scientific/technological explorations.
America is first and foremost, a WEIRD place. Always has been. Always will be. And Ben Franklin, more than any other founding figure, apothasizes and simultaneously transcends that we ...more
America is first and foremost, a WEIRD place. Always has been. Always will be. And Ben Franklin, more than any other founding figure, apothasizes and simultaneously transcends that we ...more

Feb 16, 2017
Jimmy
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
history,
autobiography
I just finished a biography and decided to reread his Autobiography, which I read in high school. I loved it then. What kind of boy did that make me? A nerd? A dork? I prefer to say "budding intellectual." I remember myself thinking then about how I could be a better person. Nothing wrong with a book that does that.
...more

Because of the movie "American Treasure" and the plot sequence involving Benjamin Franklin's Silence Dogood letters (a series of letters he published under a pseudonym at age 16), my youngest son became interested in him and picked out a biography for me to read aloud at night. That biography, written for kids, cites its main source as Ben Franklin's autobiography, so I figured it was high time I read that American classic.
I'll admit it: the old-fashioned language of the original is daunting an ...more
I'll admit it: the old-fashioned language of the original is daunting an ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Harvard Classics ...: Hello | 6 | 9 | Jan 06, 2021 03:54PM | |
Harvard Classics ...: Discussion of Virtues: Today's World? | 1 | 3 | Jan 05, 2021 05:04PM | |
Looking for a good book on Ben Franklin | 10 | 94 | Apr 17, 2020 05:37PM | |
UCAS English 11 R...: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin | 1 | 2 | Jan 31, 2020 12:10PM | |
Play Book Tag: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Illustrated) by Benjamin Franklin - 4 stars | 4 | 19 | Mar 11, 2018 03:41PM |
Benjamin Franklin was a writer, a philosopher, a scientist, a politician, a patriot, a Founding Father, an inventor, and publisher. He helped with the founding of the United States of America and changed the world with his discoveries about electricity. His writings such as Poor Richards' Almanac have provided wisdom for 17 years to the colonies.
...more
Related Articles
The Great Migration was the movement of six million African Americans out of the South to urban areas in the Northeast, Midwest, and West between...
45 likes · 4 comments
3 trivia questions
2 quizzes
More quizzes & trivia...
2 quizzes
“Never confuse Motion with Action.”
—
316 likes
“Were I a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should on this occasion vow to build a chapel to some saint, but as I am not, if I were to vow at all, it should be to build a light-house.
[Letter to his wife, 17 July 1757, after narrowly avoiding a shipwreck; often misquoted as "Lighthouses are more helpful than churches."]”
—
144 likes
More quotes…
[Letter to his wife, 17 July 1757, after narrowly avoiding a shipwreck; often misquoted as "Lighthouses are more helpful than churches."]”