Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography, known variously as a Life or Memoirs before the 1840s, has an unusual and complicated publication history, with several competing versions of the text in circulation at once. Read this guide's introduction to Franklin's Autobiography for background information on its complex early history, and to learn about the four parts of the text.
The Library's Benjamin Franklin Collection in the Rare Books and Special Collections Division consists of 850 titles written, printed, edited, or published by Benjamin Franklin.
The Benjamin Franklin Collection includes many early editions of Franklin's Autobiography, among them these significant versions, in chronological order:
Earliest European Versions
Mémoires de la vie Privée de Benjamin Franklin, Écrits par Lui-Méme, et Adressés a Son FilsBenjamin Franklins Enskildta Lefwerne, Upsatt af Honom Sjelf och Stäldt til Hans SonBenjamin Franklin’s Jugendjahre, Von Ihm Selbst für Seinen Sohn BeschriebenThe Private Life of the Late Benjamin Franklin... Originally Written by Himself, and Now Translated from the FrenchWorks of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin: Consisting of His Life Written by Himself: Together with Essays, Humorous, Moral & Literary... In Two VolumesEarliest American Editions
The Life of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Written by HimselfThe Life of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Written by HimselfWorks of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin: Consisting of His Life Written by Himself: Together with Essays, Humorous, Moral & Literary... In Two VolumesWorks of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin: Consisting of His Life Written by Himself: Together with Essays, Humorous, Moral & Literary... In Two VolumesThe Life of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Written by HimselfEditions Toward the Publication of Franklin's Full Text
Vie de Benjamin Franklin, Écrite par Lui-mêmeMemoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin...Now First Published from the Original MssThe Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, In Philosophy, Politics, and Morals... With Memoirs and Anecdotes of his LifeMémoires sur la Vie et les Écrits de Benjamin FranklinMémoires sur la Vie de Benjamin Franklin, Écrits par Lui-MêmeAutobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Edited from His Manuscript, with Notes and an Introduction by John Bigelow
