A Benjamin Franklin Reader
Read A Benjamin Franklin Reader Online
Authors: Walter Isaacson
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
Kissinger: A Biography
The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made
(with Evan Thomas)
Pro and Con
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Copyright © 2003 by Walter Isaacson
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First Simon & Schuster paperback edition 2005
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Designed by Jaime Putorti
The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows: Franklin, Benjamin, 1706–1790.
[Selections. 2003]
A Benjamin Franklin reader / edited and annotated by Walter Isaacson.
p. cm.
“Including: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY, Poor Richard’s Almanac, Silence Dogood’s letters, Polly Baker’s trial, bagatelles to his French girlfriends, the closing speech at the Constitutional Convention, letters to Jefferson and Adams and Washington, and many other wonderful writings from America’s favorite Founder.”
1. Franklin, Benjamin, 1706–1790—Archives. 2. United States—Politics and government—To 1775—Sources. 3. United States—Politics and government—1775–1783—Sources. 4. Franklin, Benjamin, 1706–1790. 5. Statesmen—United States—Biography. 6. Scientists—United States—Biography. 7. Printers—United States—Biography. I. Isaacson, Walter. II. Title.
E302.F82 2003
973.3’092—dc22 2003055788
ISBN 13: 978-0-7432-7483-8
ISBN 10: 0-7432-7483-0
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Silence Dogood Introduces Herself
Silence Dogood Attacks Harvard
Silence Dogood’s Recipe for Poetry
Silence Dogood Attacks the Puritan Theocracy
Silence Dogood Proposes Civic Improvements
A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity
Advice to His Sister on Her Marriage
Part 2: The Philadelphia Printer
The First Abortion Controversy
Part 3: Poor Richard and Friends
Poor Richard Denies He Is Franklin
Poor Richard Blames His Printer
Poor Richard’s Wife Takes Her Turn
Poor Richard Defends Astrology and Wit
A Defense of Religious Tolerance
Reasons to Choose an Older Mistress
A Call to Arms for the Middling People
The University of Pennsylvania
The Albany Plan for an American Union
The Way to Wealth: The Sayings of Poor Richard
Reasons for Restoring Canada to France
When Oil Does Not Calm Troubled Waters
The Fable of the Lion and the Dog
A Showdown with Lord Hillsborough
Parody Rules and an Edict Directed at Britain
Proposed Articles of Confederation
The Rattlesnake as America’s Symbol
An Appeal to France’s Interests
A Form Letter of Recommendation
The Twelve Commandments, to Madame Brillon
A Proposed Treaty with Madame Brillon
Madame Helvétius and Elysian Fields
To His Daughter on Fame, Frugality, and Grandchildren
Bagatelle on St. Peter’s Tolerance
To George Washington on Reputation
Dialogue Between the Gout and Mr. Franklin
A Fable About Misguided Loyalists
To Polly on Her Mother and the Futility of War