Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

The Autobiography 1

I. Ancestry and Early Life in Boston 3

II. Beginning Life as a Printer 21

III. Arrival in Philadelphia 41

IV. First Visit to Boston 55

V. Early Friends in Philadelphia 69

VI. First Visit to London 77

VII. Beginning Business in Philadelphia 99

VIII. Business Success and First Public Service 126

IX. Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection 146

X. Poor Richard’s Almanac and Other Activities 169

XI. Interest in Public Affairs 188

XII. Defense of the Province 201

XIII. Public Services and Duties 217

XIV. Albany Plan of Union 241

XV. Quarrels with the Proprietary Governors 246

XVI. Braddock’s Expedition 253

XVII. Franklin’s Defense of the Frontier 274

XVIII. Scientific Experiments 289

XIX. Agent of Pennsylvania in London 296

Appendix

Electrical Kite 327

The Way to Wealth 331

The Whistle 336

A Letter to Samuel Mather 340

Bibliography