Benjamin Franklin

The Founding Fathers Series

The Founding Fathers Series sheds new light on the revolutionary leaders who planned, fought for, and created the United States of America. This series is about the people who led America from monarchy to republic as well as the tools they used. Perhaps more importantly, it is about the principles upon which the American republic was founded. The men who initiated "the great experiment" of American freedom and democracy are examined here, as are the events, ideas, and profound documents that changed the course of world history.

Though they had different backgrounds, skills, and ideas, the Founding Fathers came together to forge a new nation and persevered against the odds to achieve America's independence. In this edition, the editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica examine the life and multiple talents of Benjamin Franklin.

©2006 Encyclopaedia Britannica (P)2006 Encyclopaedia Britannica

OK, but I prefer his Autobiography

Any additional comments?

As a curious Australian, I have only fairly recently discovered how interesting early American history is. This overview is quick and helpful but I found Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography (not an Encyclopedia Britannica publication as far as I know) to be more generally interesting, and a better place for the novice to start.