Benjamin Franklin, renowned polymath, Statesman, inventor, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, channeled his Enlightenment ideals into "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin." Written sporadically from 1771 until his Death in 1790, Franklin's narrative reflects the zeitgeist of burgeoning American identity and the Age of Reason. The text was posthumously published in 1791 in France and later in the U.S., amid a revolutionary fervor that celebrated Individualism and Self-improvement. Initially praised for its candid portrayal of Franklin’s rise from modest beginnings, the autobiography has become a seminal Work in American Literature, influencing concepts of self-made success. It inspired figures in diverse fields, from transcendentalists like Emerson to Business leaders worldwide, cementing its status as a quintessential guide to personal Development.
Guiding Question
How does one balance personal ambition with moral integrity?