Autobiography of Franklin

Author: (American) Franklin/Yao Shanyou
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: In terms of pursuing education, starting a business, and personal conduct, Franklin was truly a "saint" and a role model for all humanity. He achieved this level of excellence because, in his youth, he not only consciously formulated a plan for self-improvement but also persistently worked on it every day, diligently carrying it out. Only through perseverance—like water dripping on a stone or a rope sawing through wood—could he achieve such greatness. The publication of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin holds epoch-making significance. It was written in 1771 and completed in 1788, taking 17 years in total. This biography could be said to have been published amidst the eager anticipation of readers. Upon its release, it was immediately translated into French and quickly snapped up. The book first gained widespread acclaim because it portrayed the legendary figure of Franklin. Young people hoped to learn the secrets of Franklin's success and regarded this book as a "guide to life." Second, Franklin wrote about the "American Dream," making the slogan "Go to America to get rich" highly influential. Third, this book holds immense importance in the history of American literature. It broke the conventions of the time, becoming a novelistic autobiography, and was hailed as the Puritanic Odyssey and one of the greatest autobiographies in the world. Franklin was an "American hero" and a "mythical hero of democracy," and his Autobiography became a prophet in the family of autobiographies. It is unlikely that anyone would remain indifferent to the name Franklin. Even if you are not an American and have not benefited from Franklin's contributions to American democracy, you have certainly benefited from the lightning rod, which you still enjoy today, and its inventor was Franklin. Franklin's scientific endeavors were merely a sideline. He made contributions to grain production, the innovation of new stoves, and the study of electricity. The profits from his patents alone were sufficient to make Franklin wealthy, so he once said that he wrote this autobiography without considering royalties. Franklin was a pioneer of the American Enlightenment, a scientist, an industrialist, and one of the leaders of the American Revolution. Together with President Thomas Jefferson, he drafted and revised the historically significant Declaration of Independence. He also served as the full representative of the United States in Paris and later became the Governor of Pennsylvania. He was hailed as the "complete man of America" and the "embodiment of humanity and reason." However, Franklin only received two years of primary education and began working as an apprentice in his brother's printing shop at the age of 12. The way he nurtured his brilliant mind was through relentless self-study. The most moving part of the Autobiography is his account of this relentless effort to study and make the most of every moment. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1706, Franklin's main experiences before 1757, as well as his achievements in politics, economics, science, and literary creation—including his approach to life and interpersonal relationships—are all chronicled in this autobiography.