The Life of Benjamin Franklin: Including a Sketch of the Rise and Progress of the War of the Independence

The Life Of Benjamin Franklin: Including A Sketch Of The Rise And Progress Of The War Of Independence is a comprehensive 19th-century biography of Benjamin Franklin, compiled in an edition published in London in 1826. The work traces Franklin’s life from his Boston birth in 1706, through his apprenticeship as a printer, his early writing, and his transition to a leading public figure in America. It covers his scientific pursuits, most notably his experiments with electricity, his practical philosophy, his role in founding Philadelphia institutions, and his advocacy for public education, fire safety, and civic improvement. The volume details his crucial diplomatic labors during the American Revolution, including his long residence in London and particularly his fruitful sojourn in Paris, where he negotiated with France to secure essential aid and ultimately helped broker the peace that secured American independence. It also presents the broader political and historical context of the era, including the Albany Plan, the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, and Franklin’s enduring influence on the growth of the United States. The text includes appendices with selections from his writings and related documentary material.