Description

Franklin Library leather edition of Carl Van Doren's "Benjamin Franklin," a Limited edition, Illustrated with portraits of BEN FRANKLIN, one of the PULITZER PRIZE CLASSICS series, published in 1983. Bound in brown leather, the book has marbled paper end leaves, acid-free paper, Symth-sewn binding, hubbed spine, a satin book marker, gold gilding on three edges---in near FINE condition---most would list as FINE. Benjamin Franklin lived from 1706--1790. "Men of seventy seldom make revolutions," Van Doren wrote, but Franklin was no ordinary man." As a historian, Van Doren knew the value of allowing genius the opportunity to speak for himself. Franklin's life was long and full, and his contributions to cultural, scientific, and political life were incredible! Franklin left Boston at age seventeen and secretly sailed to Philadelphia where at the age of twenty-two he opened his own printing shop. Franklin 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. When Abigail Adams arrived in Paris in 1784, she asked to dine at Franklin's house where she met MADAME HELVETIUS, who Mrs. Adams described as "untidy, noisy and brazen. She called Dr. Franklin merely Franklin, kissed his cheeks and forehead, sat beside him at dinner sometime holding his hand. I should have been astonished if the good Doctor had not told me that in this lady I should see a genuine Frenchwoman." "Taught from her childhood to venerate the great Franklin, the Puritan lady was shocked to find that Madame Helvetius was so bold with him and that he liked it." Franklin supposedly proposed marriage to Madame Helvetius, but how seriously he meant it is uncertain. However, if in France there was a new woman whom Franklin loved and who loved him, he lost none of his old friends. 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." In the Preface, Van Doren, who taught at COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY for two decades wrote: "This biography does into detail because Franklin led a detailed life." When the book was originally published in 1938, it was on the non-fiction best-sellers list for months and was awarded the PULTIZER PRIZE in 1939. Van Doren's book combines meticulous scholarship with direct and moving language. 845 pages, including a bibliography, Chapter References, and an index. I offer Combined shipping.