The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin — Outline
Thesis
“Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world, and having gone so far through life with a considerable share of felicity, the conducing means I made use of, which with the blessing of God so well succeeded, my posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them suitable to their own situations, and therefore fit to be imitated.”
Development
- 1.
Introductory: stated purpose and occasion for writing
INTRODUCTORY NOTE“I have ever had pleasure in obtaining any little anecdotes of my ancestors.”
- 2.
Family origins and early formation
INTRODUCTORY NOTE“I was the youngest son of the youngest son for five generations back.”
- 3.
Self-education through reading and writing practice
INTRODUCTORY NOTE“as prose writing had been of great use to me in the course of my life, and was a principal means of my advancement, I shall tell you how, in such a situation, I acquired what little ability I have in that way.”
- 4.
Departure from Boston and arrival in Philadelphia
INTRODUCTORY NOTE“I have been the more particular in this description of my journey, and shall be so of my first entry into that city, that you may in your mind compare such unlikely beginnings with the figure I have since made there.”
- 5.
London interlude: errata and return
INTRODUCTORY NOTE“This was another of the great errata of my life, which I should wish to correct if I were to live it over again.”
- 6.
Establishing the printing business and civic projects
INTRODUCTORY NOTE“I mention this industry the more particularly and the more freely, tho’ it seems to be talking in my own praise, that those of my posterity, who shall read it, may know the use of that virtue, when they see its effects in my favour throughout this relation.”
- 7.
Soliciting letters: the case for completing the autobiography
Letter from Mr. Abel James,“your biography will not merely teach self-education, but the education of a wise man; and the wisest man will receive lights and improve his progress, by seeing detailed the conduct of another wise man.”
- 8.
Practical habits: frugality, industry, and domestic life
Letter from Mr. Abel James,“We kept no idle servants, our table was plain and simple, our furniture of the cheapest.”
- 9.
The project of moral perfection and the thirteen virtues
Letter from Mr. Abel James,“It was about this time I conceiv’d the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wish’d to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into.”
- 10.
Religious principles and the project of a United Party for Virtue
Letter from Mr. Abel James,“There seems to me at present to be great occasion for raising a United Party for Virtue, by forming the virtuous and good men of all nations into a regular body, to be govern’d by suitable good and wise rules”
- 11.
Public affairs: defense, the hospital, the academy, and electrical fame
Letter from Mr. Abel James,“I therefore, in 1743, drew up a proposal for establishing an academy; and at that time, thinking the Reverend Mr. Peters, who was out of employ, a fit person to superintend such an institution, I communicated the project to him”
- 12.
Mission to England: Braddock's campaign and departure
Letter from Mr. Abel James,“The Assembly finally finding the proprietary obstinately persisted in manacling their deputies with instructions inconsistent not only with the privileges of the people, but with the service of the crown, resolv’d to petition the king against them, and appointed me their agent to go over to England”
Conclusion
“tho’ I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the endeavour, a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it”