Walter Isaacson is the bestselling author of biographies of Elon Musk, Jennifer Doudna, Leonardo da Vinci, Steve Jobs, Benjamin Franklin, and Albert Einstein. He is a professor of history at Tulane and was CEO of the Aspen Institute, chair of CNN, and editor of Time. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2023. Visit him at Isaacson.Tulane.edu.

"In its common sense, clarity, and accessibility, it is a fitting reflection of Franklin's sly pragmatism....This may be the book that most powerfully drives a new pendulum swing of the Franklin reputation."

• ContentsChronologyKey CharactersIntroductionPart 1: The Young ApprenticeSilence Dogood Introduces HerselfSilence Dogood on CourtshipSilence Dogood Attacks HarvardSilence Dogood's Recipe for PoetrySilence Dogood Attacks the Puritan TheocracySilence Dogood Proposes Civic ImprovementsA Dissertation on Liberty and NecessityPlan of ConductAdvice to His Sister on Her MarriageA New Creed and LiturgyPart 2: The Philadelphia PrinterThe First Abortion ControversyThe Busy-BodyFranklin the EditorThe Lessons of MisprintsRules for MarriageA Scolding WifeA Witch Trial at Mount HollyA Printer's CreedSex SellsAnthony Afterwit on MarriageCelia Single RespondsIn Praise of GossipThe Discussion ClubHow to Please in ConversationPart 3: Poor Richard and FriendsIntroducing Poor RichardPoor Richard vs. Mr. LeedsOn the Death of InfantsPoor Richard Denies He Is FranklinFaith Versus Good WorksPoor Richard Blames His PrinterThe Drinker's DictionaryHow to Write an AlmanacPoor Richard's Wife Takes Her TurnPoor Richard Defends Astrology and WitA Defense of Religious ToleranceA Ballad for DeborahReasons to Choose an Older MistressPolly Baker's TrialPart 4: The Public CitizenA Call to Arms for the Middling PeopleThe University of PennsylvaniaHow to Be a Good TradesmanRattlesnakes for FelonsMagical SquaresOn Welfare DependencyThe Albany Plan for an American UnionCatherine RayA Parable on IntoleranceThe Way to WealthPart 5: Lobbyist in LondonReasons for Restoring Canada to FranceMary StevensonDavid HumeOn Observing the SabbathWhen Oil Does Not Calm Troubled WatersRace and SlaveryPropaganda AgentA Paean to DeborahThe Grumpy BoarderMore on Welfare DependenceCold Air BathsThe Fable of the Lion and the DogPolly Gets MarriedThe Cravenstreet GazetteA Showdown with Lord HillsboroughThe Seeds of a Total DisunionHow to Weigh a DecisionOde to a SquirrelThe Cause of ColdsParody Rules and an Edict Directed at BritainPart 6: American RebelYou Are My EnemyProposed Articles of ConfederationThe Rattlesnake as America's SymbolPart 7: Ambassador in ParisAn Appeal to France's InterestsThe Sale of the HessiansA Form Letter of RecommendationThe Twelve Commandments, to Madame BrillonA Proposed Treaty with Madame BrillonBagatelle of the EphemeraMadame Helvétius and Elysian FieldsJohn Paul JonesTo His Daughter on Fame, Frugality, and GrandchildrenThe Morals of ChessBagatelle on St. Peter's ToleranceOn Wine and the ElbowTo George Washington on ReputationJohn AdamsDialogue Between the Gout and Mr. FranklinThe Science of FartsA Fable About Misguided LoyalistsSeducing the FrenchTo Polly on Her Mother and the Futility of WarA Critique of Excess WealthOn Hereditary Honors and the TurkeyA Vision of AmericaNo Longer His EnemyDaylight Savings TimeThe Prodigal WilliamOn Wishes, Age, and BifocalsPart 8: Constitutional SageThe Constitutional ConventionMotion for PrayersFranklin's Closing SpeechA Miffy FamilyWebster's DictionaryOn the Abolition of SlaveryThe Final Parody, on SlaveryOn Jesus ChristTo Thomas JeffersonLast Will and CodicilPart 9: The AutobiographyThe Autobiography