His work finds followers in historical, literary circles and business circles.



Despite his greatness, even during his time, Benjamin Franklin was humble. His straightforward, easy manner makes his autobiography very readable to people of all stripes.

Luckily for us, he left an outline of why he wrote his life story. He doesn't tell his story to show how marvelous he is. Instead, his reasons for writing show his humility.

These are his purposes:

1. He's always derived "Pleasure in obtaining any little Anecdote or my Ancestors."

Franklin recalls his own pleasure in gathering anecdotal stories about those in his genealogical line.

2. He "imagin[es] it may be equally agreable [sic] to you to know the Circumstances of my Life."

Because he has found satisfaction in the stories of others, Franklin hopes that others will find some happiness in reading his work.

3. "Having emerg'd from the Poverty and Obscurity in which I was born & bred, to a State of Affluence & some Degree of Reputation in the World, and having gone so far thro' Life with a considerable Share of Felicity, the conducing Means I made use of, which, with the Blessing of God, so well succeeded, my Posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them suitable to their own Situations, & therefore fit to be imitated."

Franklin rose in success. He wishes to share how he overcame his circumstances.

4. "[T]he next Thing most like living one's Life over again, seems to be a Recollection of that Life;"

Next to reliving his life, recollecting his life is the next best thing. Do you agree?

5. He desires "to make that Recollection as durable as possible, the putting it down in Writing."

It's not good enough to keep the story in his mind. Or even to pass the story on in the oral tradition. He wants it to persist for generations.

6. "I shall indulge the Inclination so natural in old Men, to be talking of themselves and their own past Actions, and I shall indulge it... perhaps I shall a good deal gratify my own Vanity."

My father-in-law likes to say, "The older I get the better I was!" This statement highlights our own vanity. But if we don't get our life on paper, it won't persist.

7. Lastly, "I speak of thanking God, I desire with all Humility to acknowledge, that I owe the mention'd Happiness of my past Life to his kind Providence, which led me to the Means I us'd & gave them Success."

Almost without exception when one reflects on life, that person witnesses the unseen hand in action in their lives. As you write your story, remember to acknowledge God in your life.

Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is an indispensable resource in figuring out how to write your autobiography.