Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography is one of the most celebrated and widely read life stories ever written. Begun in 1771 during a visit to England and completed in fragments over two decades, it remains the finest account of the self-made man in American literature.
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Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
The remarkable life story of one of America's greatest founding fathers, told in his own timeless words.
| Author | Benjamin Franklin |
| Published | 1771–1790 (written) |
| Genre | History, biography |
| Chapters | 19 |
| Setting | Colonial America, England, France |
| Legacy | One of the most celebrated autobiographies ever written |
🖋️ The Story
Franklin begins with his humble origins in Boston, the son of a tallow-chandler, and traces his extraordinary rise through industry, curiosity, and an unshakeable belief in self-improvement. He recounts his apprenticeship as a printer, his daring escape to Philadelphia, his establishment of the Pennsylvania Gazette and Poor Richard’s Almanac, and his experiments with electricity that brought him international fame.
Beyond the personal story, the Autobiography offers Franklin’s reflections on morality, politics, and the art of living well. His famous plan for attaining moral perfection, his thirteen virtues, and his practical maxims have inspired readers for generations. The narrative follows his growing involvement in public affairs: the Albany Plan of Union, his defense of the Pennsylvania frontier, his diplomatic missions to England, and the scientific pursuits that made him a Fellow of the Royal Society.
📖 About This Edition
Franklin wrote with a clarity and honesty that make the Autobiography as fresh today as when it was first published. It is at once a historical document of the first importance and a deeply personal portrait of a man who shaped the modern world. This edition presents the complete text, including the famous fourth part written during the final year of Franklin’s life, carefully formatted for modern e-readers.
Zero Distractions
No ads, no license pages — just the complete text, clean and uninterrupted.
Smart Typography
Curly quotes, em-dashes, proper ellipsis — typeset with care for a premium reading experience.
Chapter Navigation
Full table of contents with navigation to each of the 19 chapters — easily jump between them.
Cleaned & Polished
All Gutenberg boilerplate stripped, consistent formatting throughout the text.
No DRM
You own your copy — read on any device, anytime, forever.
Instant Download
EPUB format included, delivered instantly after purchase.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the complete autobiography?
Yes. The book covers all four parts of Franklin’s autobiography, from his birth in 1706 through his diplomatic missions in the 1760s. The final part was written in the last year of his life and ends mid-sentence — a poignant reminder of the story left untold.
What are Franklin's thirteen virtues?
Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, and Humility. Franklin’s method for cultivating them — focusing on one per week in a 13-week cycle — is one of the first self-improvement systems in Western literature.
How long does it take to read?
At 264 pages across 19 chapters, most readers finish in 6-9 hours. Franklin’s clear, direct prose makes it a surprisingly fast read for an 18th-century work.
What makes this different from other editions?
This edition strips away all Gutenberg boilerplate and presents Franklin’s text in a clean, distraction-free format with smart typography and chapter navigation. You get the complete text without the usual public domain clutter.
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🖋️ Read the American Classic
Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography is the finest account of the self-made man in American literature. The DodaBooks edition presents the complete text, including the famous fourth part:
- ✅ Complete 19-chapter text — all four parts of Franklin’s autobiography
- ✒️ Smart typography — curly quotes, em-dashes, proper ellipsis
- 📜 Full table of contents with chapter navigation
- 🔒 DRM-free — read on any device, anytime
- 📥 Instant download — EPUB format