Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography

Written during the most eventful years of Benjamin Franklin's life (177190), the Autobiography is one of the most influential memoirs in history. This newly edited Norton Critical Edition includes an introduction that explains the history of the Autobiography within the larger history of the life-writing genre as well as within the history of celebrity. The text is accompanied by new and expanded explanatory annotations and by a map, an illustration, and six facsimiles. Contexts presents a broader view of Franklins life with a journal entry from a 1726 voyage, correspondence, a Poor Richard piece on ambition and fame, Franklins views on self-improvement, and his last will (and codicil). Criticism draws on a wealth of material that reflects both the wide range of Franklins achievements and the global impact of his life and memoirs. New international voices in Contemporary Opinions include Immanuel Kant, Honor Gabriel Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau, Jos Antonio de Alzate y Ramrez, and Jos Francisco Correia da Serra. Nineteenth-Century Opinions includes Humphry Davy on Franklins discovery of electricity as well as Empress Shoken of Japans Franklin-inspired poem. Finally, Modern Opinions reprints important pieces: I. B. Cohen on Franklin and the Autobiography's importance to science; Michael Warners theoretical interpretation of the practices of writing and printing and what they tell us about Franklin; and Peter Stallybrasss insightful and engaging history-of-the-book perspective on Franklins writing generally and the Autobiography specifically. A Chronology of Franklins life, a Selected Bibliography, and an Index are also included.