Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography: Life, Persona, and Political Economy

Focus on Part One of Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography, covering his early life from pages 457 to 504.
Part One is written as a letter to his son, starting with "Dear Son".
This style of writing, called epistolary framing, is often used in biographies and autobiographies.
Memoirs and autobiographies are usually written later in life and show a person's life story, but they don't always tell everything exactly as it happened.
Authors often highlight certain details while downplaying others to create a more engaging story.
Franklin writes about his life in a way that may seem a bit exaggerated, but it's not meant to be dishonest.
He shares a story about how he came from a very poor background to achieve wealth and respect, which is often called the "rags to riches" story.
This theme is common in American history, and many successful people (like CEOs and celebrities) tell similar stories.

The surname "Franklin" historically indicated a middle-class landowner, not an aristocrat.
Franklin came from a family that was stable but not wealthy. His father was a candle and soap maker.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, having a skilled trade allowed for some economic freedom, and these trades were above those of servants.
This group is referred to as the petty bourgeoisie, a class below wealthy merchants but striving to improve their economic standing.

Franklin's family has roots in England, living on a piece of land for over 300 years.
They initially worked as blacksmiths before switching to soap and candle making.
Economic patterns in Europe moved from feudal systems to mercantilism, leading to skilled trade guilds, which acted like early labor unions.
Franklin's uncle Benjamin was an innovative silk dyer and left behind poetry and a unique shorthand system he taught to Franklin.

The Franklin family practiced Protestantism during Queen Mary Tudor's reign, who tried to restore Catholicism.
To avoid persecution, they hid their English-language Bible.
With Catholic rule, Bibles were only in Latin, making it hard for people to access scripture.
The invention of the Gutenberg printing press allowed for more Bible distribution in vernacular languages, fueling the Protestant Reformation.
The family experienced splits in religious beliefs during the reign of King Charles II, with some leaving the established church while others remained.

Franklin started grammar school at age 8, and his father initially wanted him to be a pastor.
In the 18th century, children were often seen as sources of income rather than individuals with a childhood.
At age 10, Franklin was taken out of school to help his father in the family business.
He once organized his friends to build a wharf, which led to punishment when discovered. Franklin's father told him that usefulness needs to be honest.

By age 12, Franklin disliked making candles and explored various trades.
He spent his money on books, starting with John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress.
His father had a library filled with aggressive religious texts.
At 17, Franklin began an apprenticeship with his brother James, who owned a printing press.

Franklin debated with John Collins about women's education, defending the idea that women should be educated.
They exchanged letters, prompting Franklin's father to critique his writing, helping him improve.

At 16, Franklin read about vegetarianism and adopted a vegetable diet, causing friction at home.
He saved money by managing his food expenses, allowing him to buy more books.
This diet was motivated by his desire for frugality and mental clarity rather than modern ethical concerns.
Franklin viewed political economy as the study of behaviors and practices affecting social and material outcomes.

Franklin rejected aristocratic symbols, preferring a more common appearance.
Through his writing and public persona, he emphasized a self-made, relatable image, which became a key aspect of American identity.