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Franklin Library leather edition of "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin," a Limited edition, edited by John Bigelow, illustrated Charles Turzak , with a portrait of BEN FRANKLIN, one of the 100 GREATEST MASTERPIECNES OF AMERICAN LITERATURE series, published in 1983. Bound in scarlet red leather, the book has red moire silk end leaves, acid-free paper, Symth-sewn binding, hubbed spine, a satin book marker, gold gilding on three edges---in near FINE condition---except for 'moderate' rubs to top gilt. Benjamin Franklin, who lived from 1706--1790, was born in Boston but secretly sailed to New York at the age of seventeen. There at the age of twenty-two he opened his own printing shop. Franklin wrote, became the postmaster of Philadelphia in 1737 and in 1751, he was elected member of the Assembly for the City of Philadelphia. Franklin married Deborah Read and she helped Franklin in the Post Office. Franklin was a Founding Father of the U.S., a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, free mason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lighting rod, bifocals and the Franklin stove. He facilitated many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department and the University of Pennsylvania. As the first U.S. Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation. Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious. An accomplished diplomat, he was widely admired among the French as American minister to Paris. His efforts proved vital for the American Revolution in securing shipments of crucial munitions from France. From 1785 to 1788, he served as governor of Pennsylvania. His colorful life and legacy of scientific and political achievement, and his status as one of America's most influential Founding Fathers have seen Franklin honored more than two centuries after his death on coinage and the $100 bill, warships, and names of many towns, counties, educational institutions, and corporations. Franklin became famous for his proverbs such as: "Who riseth late trots all day, because he is behind in his business," "The Tongue talks at the head's costs," or "Nothing can be humbler than ambition, when it is so disposed." "Haste makes waste," "Eat to live, and not live to eat," "Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards." THOMAS JEFFERSON, who replaced Franklin as minister to France, wrote in 1791, "The succession to Dr. Franklin at the court of France was an excellent school of humility. No one can replace him, I am only his successor." 191 pages. I offer Combined shipping.