Few documents in modern history have endured such extensive misrepresentation and confusion as Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, also known as his memoirs. Written in four distinct phases over a span of years, the autobiography faced immense challenges in publication—being translated into French, re-translated back into English, and often altered before the original manuscript was finally published nearly 80 years after Franklin’s death. In Benjamin Franklin’s Memoirs, Max Farrand uncovers the fascinating and often perplexing history behind Franklin’s writing and the numerous editions of his memoirs. This study not only traces the intricate process of Franklin’s composition but also delves into the misunderstandings and misrepresentations that clouded its publication for decades. Farrand’s meticulous research draws on the original manuscript held at the Huntington Library, providing readers with insight into Franklin’s intentions, revisions, and the historical context surrounding each phase of the memoir’s creation. This edition unravels the confusion and reveals Franklin’s true voice, offering a fresh perspective on this American classic. For scholars, history buffs, and Franklin enthusiasts alike, Benjamin Franklin’s Memoirs by Max Farrand provides an essential and accurate account of the life and mind of one of America’s most iconic figures, restoring clarity to a work that has been clouded by years of editorial intervention. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to understand Franklin’s autobiography in its fullest and most authentic form.
This title was originally published in 1949.
Few documents in modern history have endured such extensive misrepresentation and confusion as Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, also known as his memoirs. Written in four distinct phases over a span of years, the autobiography faced immense challenges i