The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a memoir by Benjamin Franklin, written in stages between 1771 and 1790 and first published in 1791.

In clear, practical prose, Franklin recounts his rise from modest beginnings to become a self-made figure in American public life, blending personal history with lessons meant for readers who wanted to improve their own lives.

The narrative traces his early years, his education through reading and work, and his move into printing, publishing, and civic projects. Along the way, it highlights the discipline, curiosity, and perseverance that shaped his career, while also showing how he navigated ambition, reputation, and opportunity in colonial America.

One of the book’s most famous sections introduces Franklin’s plan for moral self-improvement, including a list of virtues and a method for tracking progress. More than a life story, it becomes a practical guide to character and self-cultivation and a foundational portrait of the American ideal of reinvention.

"DEAR SON: I have ever had pleasure in obtaining any little anecdotes of my ancestors. You may remember the inquiries I made among the remains of my relations when you were with me in England, and the journey I undertook for that purpose."