“. . . an American classic.” — The Objective Standard “It is the first great American book . . .” — Washington Post Enjoy the life and philosophy of one of the most fascinating Founding Fathers of the United States. Benjamin Franklin was a runaway apprentice who became a legend in his own time, and who over the course of his eighty-four-years was a writer, publisher, scientist, inventor, diplomat, and politician. He was a driving force in the creation of the United States of America, from drafting the Declaration of Independence to negotiating the Treaty of Paris. He also founded America’s first public lending library, while his Poor Richard’s Almanack made him the country's first world-famous author. His rise from lowly beginnings to international acclaim shows the spirit of opportunity that defined the early decades of the nation. Both a personal story and a self-improvement guide to living with integrity, Franklin’s book is one of the most influential examples of an autobiography ever written and continues to inspire readers today. Reproduced from John Bigelow’s well-researched 1868 edition that was transcribed directly from the original manuscript, this book is sure to be a treasured part of any home library. “The most remarkable of all the remarkable histories of our self-made men.” — F.W. Pine, editor to 1916 edition One of the “100 best non-fiction books.” — The Guardian