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Lives and Legacies
Benjamin Franklin
The tenth and youngest son of a poor Boston soapmaker, Benjamin Franklin would rise to become, in Thomas Jefferson's words, "the greatest man and ornament of his age." In this short, engaging biography, historian Edwin S. Gaustad offers a marvelous portrait of this towering colonial figure, illuminating Franklin's character and personality.
Here is truly one of the most extraordinary lives imaginable, a man who, with only two years of formal education, became a printer, publisher, postmaster, philosopher, world-class scientist and inventor, statesman, musician, and abolitionist. Gaustad presents a chronological account of all these accomplishments, delightfully spiced with quotations from Franklin's own extensive writings. The book describes how the hardworking Franklin became at age 24 the most successful printer in Pennsylvania and how by 42, with the help of Poor Richard's Almanack , he had amassed enough wealth to retire from business. We then follow Franklin's next brilliant career, as an inventor and scientist, examining his pioneering work on electricity and his inventions of the Franklin Stove, the lightning rod, and bifocals, as well as his mapping of the Gulf Stream, a major contribution to navigation. Lastly, the book covers Franklin's role as America's leading statesman, ranging from his years in England
before the Revolutionary War to his time in France thereafter, highlighting his many contributions to the cause of liberty. Along the way, Gaustad sheds light on Franklin's personal life, including his troubled relationship with his illegitimate son William, who remained a Loyalist during the Revolution, and Franklin's thoughts on such topics as religion and morality.
Written by a leading authority on colonial America, this compact biography captures in a remarkably small space one of the most protean lives in our nation's history.
Here is truly one of the most extraordinary lives imaginable, a man who, with only two years of formal education, became a printer, publisher, postmaster, philosopher, world-class scientist and inventor, statesman, musician, and abolitionist. Gaustad presents a chronological account of all these accomplishments, delightfully spiced with quotations from Franklin's own extensive writings. The book describes how the hardworking Franklin became at age 24 the most successful printer in Pennsylvania and how by 42, with the help of Poor Richard's Almanack , he had amassed enough wealth to retire from business. We then follow Franklin's next brilliant career, as an inventor and scientist, examining his pioneering work on electricity and his inventions of the Franklin Stove, the lightning rod, and bifocals, as well as his mapping of the Gulf Stream, a major contribution to navigation. Lastly, the book covers Franklin's role as America's leading statesman, ranging from his years in England
before the Revolutionary War to his time in France thereafter, highlighting his many contributions to the cause of liberty. Along the way, Gaustad sheds light on Franklin's personal life, including his troubled relationship with his illegitimate son William, who remained a Loyalist during the Revolution, and Franklin's thoughts on such topics as religion and morality.
Written by a leading authority on colonial America, this compact biography captures in a remarkably small space one of the most protean lives in our nation's history.
160 pages, Paperback
First published December 23, 2005
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About the author
Edwin S. Gaustad
53 books15 followersA leading scholar of American religious history, Edwin Scott Gaustad was Professor of History at the University of California, Riverside. He earned his B.A. in history from Baylor University (1947), and his M.A. (1948) and Ph.D. (1951) in History of Religions from Brown University.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 4, 2025
Sometimes you want to learn about someone noteworthy but don't want to tackle a tome. This book is a good example of a good albeit short book. It's only 143 pages, including notes and index, but it seems perfect, especially if you need to pack it in your carry-on bag on an airplane. I've also read Isaacson's biography on Franklin which was more comprehensive but also seemed like a lot more work (and was much heavier to travel with). I wanted to read this book because I wanted to be reminded of the major specifics and chronology of Franklin's life. I thought it covered very well his early life as a printer as well as his life as an inventor, scientist, and philosopher. It was later that he also became a statesman, diplomat, and leader of a revolution. His contributions in convincing France to support the Americans in the revolution and then as a delegate to the constitutional convention were indispensable in the forging of a new nation in the new world. Learning more about his thoughts on religion and slavery were bonuses. Love nonfiction, biographies, and American history? Don't hesitate, and pick up this book. You'll enjoy the well-edited narrative (and it travels well!).
January 10, 2013
A fantastic overlook of Benjamin Franklin's role in the forming of America as we know it. Really made me admire him and didn't read like a textbook (thank goodness)!
Things to admire about Benjamin Franklin:
1. He advocated for educating women at university in the 1700s - looong before women even earned the right to vote (in 1920!)
2. Never wanted to patent any of his inventions and/or make money from them, instead believing that they were only for the goodness and progress of mankind.
3. Thought religion was pompous and chose science instead.
4. Anti-slavery as early as the 1740s
5. Donated his salary from Congress (1775) to care for wounded soldiers
6. Was a leader, inventor, visionary, scientist, writer, entrepreneur, and inspiration.
His inventions include: the lightening rod, bifocals, armonica (an instrument made of glass), a new stove that gave out more heat and consumed less firewood, one of the first to make note of the gulf stream, founded the first US post office.
Interesting fact I learned: The name of the so-called "Pennsylvania Dutch" is really a corruption of "Pennsylvania Deutsch", that is, "German".
I can't imagine it taking 6 weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean by ship!
"People do not enquire concerning a Stranger, 'What is he?' said [Benjamin] Franklin, but "What can he do?'... On the other hand, if one was of noble birth in Europe and was so deluded to think that this distinction alone would sustain him in America, Franklin cautioned, he would be greatly disappointed. 'In Europe it has indeed its Value, but it is a Commodity that cannot be carried to a worse Market than to that of America.' There were no lords and ladies in America, and no rigid class structure to keep nine-tenths of the population in submissive poverty. Very few in America would be called rich, but very few were as miserable as the poor in Europe. In his country, Franklin added, 'It is rather a general happy Mediocrity that prevails.'"
Things to admire about Benjamin Franklin:
1. He advocated for educating women at university in the 1700s - looong before women even earned the right to vote (in 1920!)
2. Never wanted to patent any of his inventions and/or make money from them, instead believing that they were only for the goodness and progress of mankind.
3. Thought religion was pompous and chose science instead.
4. Anti-slavery as early as the 1740s
5. Donated his salary from Congress (1775) to care for wounded soldiers
6. Was a leader, inventor, visionary, scientist, writer, entrepreneur, and inspiration.
His inventions include: the lightening rod, bifocals, armonica (an instrument made of glass), a new stove that gave out more heat and consumed less firewood, one of the first to make note of the gulf stream, founded the first US post office.
Interesting fact I learned: The name of the so-called "Pennsylvania Dutch" is really a corruption of "Pennsylvania Deutsch", that is, "German".
I can't imagine it taking 6 weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean by ship!
"People do not enquire concerning a Stranger, 'What is he?' said [Benjamin] Franklin, but "What can he do?'... On the other hand, if one was of noble birth in Europe and was so deluded to think that this distinction alone would sustain him in America, Franklin cautioned, he would be greatly disappointed. 'In Europe it has indeed its Value, but it is a Commodity that cannot be carried to a worse Market than to that of America.' There were no lords and ladies in America, and no rigid class structure to keep nine-tenths of the population in submissive poverty. Very few in America would be called rich, but very few were as miserable as the poor in Europe. In his country, Franklin added, 'It is rather a general happy Mediocrity that prevails.'"
July 22, 2008
Picked this up as "back-up" non-fiction book for my eldest, who has to read a biography for school this summer (my picking it up is unbeknownst to him; okay so I need to stop doing this). It actually is a very good brief biography of the man, who I have always admired but without understand the breadth of his work. In 120 or so pages, you receive a great outline, and samples of his writings regarding key points to frame out his beliefs and, ultimately, his importance in American history.
April 27, 2016
I am glad and gratefully to recognize American founding fathers as exceptional people in all aspects, right now I feel confident to say after a few books that Benjamin Franklin is one of most notorious scientists and philosopher at the time, when I was in high school my interpretation of Franklin job was in the kite experiment and by now after some reading he is one of my heroes in history for his contributions to the community.
July 17, 2008
This was fascinating, but I did not like how 'loose' it got in the end regarding his relationships with women and I quit reading it. I did enjoy learning more about him and the many things he did and his 10 virtues he made for himself. I think he did the best he could without the gospel.
June 7, 2009
Short, easy read. Very informative look at an amazing man.
October 24, 2010
Interaesting biography of Benjamin Franklin
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July 15, 2015Very good, if somewhat slight, biography of Franklin.
August 3, 2016
still love Ben Franklin. the man did so many things!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews