Benjamin Franklin, Self-Revealed, Volume 1 (of 2) A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings

Benjamin Franklin’s story feels like a masterclass in curiosity and practicality. From a tallow‑chandler’s son learning the trade of printing, he turned everyday problems into inventions—a fan for summer comfort, a rolling press for swift correspondence, even a clever hand that fetched books from high shelves. His relentless tinkering and sharp observations on budget, health, and the natural world reveal a mind that never stopped asking “how?” while still cherishing simple, thrift‑filled maxims.

The biography draws almost entirely from Franklin’s own letters, essays, and his famous autobiography, letting his voice guide the narrative. It explores his moral code, religious reflections, and the wide network of friends he cultivated across America, Britain, and France. By weaving together his personal writings with thoughtful analysis, the work paints a vivid portrait of a self‑made thinker whose inventive spirit and civic generosity still echo today.