The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - Hyundai Jisung Classic 43

Author Benjamin Franklin · Publisher Hyeondae Jisung · Published 2022-08-01 · ISBN 9791139706697

About the Book

Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States, reveals
the archetype of certain success and wisdom.

Franklin is not only an epitome of a self-made man but also arguably the most American man in early American history. Though not wealthy nor wielding great power, he demonstrated remarkable talents in various fields and proved how astonishing changes can occur when virtues like diligence, frugality, and perseverance are truly practiced. In this regard, "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" shows what results can be achieved in the land of opportunity by following his teachings.
The value of his autobiography can also be seen in a letter from Abel James, a Philadelphia merchant, who urged Franklin to continue writing his autobiography about ten years after Franklin had stopped writing it. "If you have not continued it, I wish you would not delay it. Life is uncertain, as preachers teach us. What would the world say if the kind, humane, and benevolent Benjamin Franklin did not undertake such a work that would be amusing and instructive to his friends and the world, a pleasure beneficial not just to a few but to millions?"

Started from the bottom but became
an exemplary self-made figure who was respected.

Part 1 is written in the form of a letter from Benjamin Franklin to his son, William. Franklin, then 65 years old, begins his autobiography by recounting anecdotes related to his grandfather, uncles, father, and mother. Although he loved reading as a child, he ended his formal education at the age of ten due to his father's autocratic decision and became an apprentice to his brother James to learn printing. However, due to various reasons, disputes between the brothers became frequent, and Benjamin began to seek ways to escape his brother's shadow. Unable to find work in Boston due to his brother's influence, he moved to Philadelphia via New York.
Part 2 begins with two letters Franklin received while living in Paris in the early 1780s. Both encouraged him to continue writing his autobiography. So, in Passy, on the outskirts of Paris, Franklin began writing Part 2 of his autobiography in 1784, detailing his plans for establishing a public library. He then mentions his "bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection" and lists 13 virtues. He confesses that his success was largely due to training himself in a truthful character. "It is better to be moral if one wants to be happy not only in heaven but also in this world. ... For this reason, I have tried to teach young people that integrity and truthfulness are the means to ensure success for the poor."
Part 3 begins in August 1788, when Franklin returns to Philadelphia and attempts to resume his autobiography, expressing regret that much of his material was lost during the Revolutionary War. He returns to the point where Part 1 ended, recalling the successful launch of "Poor Richard's Almanack" in 1732.
Around this time, Franklin studied foreign languages such as French and Italian and reconciled with his brother James. In 1736, he took his first step into politics by accepting the position of Clerk of the Assembly. The following year, he became Postmaster, which helped him acquire articles for his newspaper and gain many subscribers.
Meanwhile, on the eve of war with France, he was elected as a representative to negotiate with the Indians on behalf of several colonies. At this time, Franklin proposed a union of the colonies, but his proposal was not adopted. He also took the lead for the public good, even using his own money to guarantee wagons and horses for transporting army supplies and military equipment when General Braddock, who arrived from England, led two regiments. In particular, because he handled affairs impartially and ensured no one was wronged, regardless of their religion or political alignment, even the governor, who was on the opposing side, privately sided with him.

The classic life story that has perfectly represented the 'American spirit' for 200 years.

Benjamin Franklin wrote this book after he became a celebrity not only in America but also worldwide (for some reason, it was not published during his lifetime). By thoroughly revealing and admitting his faults, shortcomings, and mistakes during his growth, he aimed to show that even an extremely ordinary person can achieve personal success through diligence, perseverance, and consistent effort.
Despite such disadvantaged birth and human conditions, he never neglected self-study through deep reading and writing, nor intellectual inquiry, thus compensating for many weaknesses in his life. He confesses that even amidst a busy daily life where he had to compete with two established printing presses in Philadelphia, he immersed himself for two or three hours daily in the public library he introduced and helped create, gradually making up for the educational opportunities his father had denied him.
In modern terms, he was born with nothing and struggled with poverty his entire life, overshadowed by his siblings (he was the 15th of 17 siblings!) and forced to live under his older brothers' watchful eyes. Yet, by cultivating balanced intellect, impartial human relationships, and inner virtues, he never gave up on growing 1% every day. He eventually participated in drafting the Declaration of Independence in the early days of America's founding and greatly contributed to diplomatic achievements, such as securing economic and military aid from France during the American Revolutionary War. Let's listen to the life wisdom revealed by the man whose life story has been recognized as a formula for self-improvement by Americans and people worldwide for the past 200 years.

Contents

Part 1 To William Franklin
_Twiverford, 1771, from the Bishop of St Asaph

Chapter 1 Ancestry and Youth in Boston
Chapter 2 As a Printer's Apprentice
Chapter 3 Arrival in Philadelphia
Chapter 4 First Visit to Boston
Chapter 5 Friends in Philadelphia
Chapter 6 First Trip to England
Chapter 7 Starting a Business in Philadelphia
Chapter 8 Public Service for a Successful Business

Part 2 My Life Story
_Resumed in Passy, 1784

Chapter 9 The Plan for a Perfect Moral Life

Part 3 Continued at Home
_August 1788

Chapter 10 Poor Richard's Almanack and Other Activities
Chapter 11 Becoming Interested in Public Affairs
Chapter 12 Organizing the Provincial Militia
Chapter 13 Founding the University of Pennsylvania
Chapter 14 Political Affairs in Philadelphia
Chapter 15 The Albany Plan of Union
Chapter 16 Disputes with Proprietors
Chapter 17 Braddock's Expedition
Chapter 18 Franklin's Frontier Defense
Chapter 19 Scientific Experiments
Chapter 20 Working for Pennsylvania

Commentary | Kang Joo-heon
Chronology of Benjamin Franklin