Benjamin Franklin : Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings (Library of America)
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
"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 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.
About the Author
J. A. Leo Lemay, editor of this volume, is professor of colonial literature at the University of Delaware. The author of numerous works on Franklin, including The Canon of Benjamin Franklin 1722-1776: New Attributions and Reconsiderations, he has edited The Oldest Revolutionary and (with P. M. Zall) The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: A Genetic Text.
Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings (Library of America),Benjamin Franklin,J. A. Leo Lemay,Library of America,1883011531,1775-1783,American - General,Biography,Biography & Autobiography,Biography/Autobiography,Historical - General,Literature - Classics / Criticism,Politics and government,Statesmen,To 1775,U.S. History - Revolution And Confederation (1775-1789),United States,Franklin, Benjamin,Literary Collections / American / General
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