The Cambridge Companion to Benjamin Franklin (Cambridge Companions to American Studies)

From the Publisher: Comprehensive and accessible, this Companion addresses several well-known themes in the study of Franklin and his writings, while also showing Franklin in conversation with his British and European counterparts in science, philosophy, and social theory. Specially commissioned chapters, written by scholars well-known in their respective fields, examine Franklin's writings and his life with a new sophistication, placing Franklin in his cultural milieu while revealing the complexities of his intellectual, literary, social, and political views. Individual chapters take up several traditional topics, such as Franklin and the American dream, Franklin and capitalism, and Franklin's views of American national character. Other chapters delve into Franklin's library and his philosophical views on morality, religion, science, and the Enlightenment and explore his continuing influence in American culture. This Companion will be essential reading for students and scholars of American literature, history and culture. Cover......Page 1 The Cambridge companion to Benjamin Franklin......Page 4 Contents......Page 6 List of illustrations......Page 8 Notes on contributors......Page 9 Acknowledgments......Page 13 Method of citation......Page 14 Chronology of Franklin’s life......Page 15 Introduction......Page 24 1. Benjamin Franklin’s library......Page 34 2. The Art of Virtue......Page 47 3. Franklin’s satiric vein......Page 60 4. Franklin in the republic of letters......Page 73 5. Benjamin Franklin’s natural philosophy......Page 86 6. Franklin and the Enlightenment......Page 100 7. Franklin and the question of religion......Page 114 8. The pragmatist in Franklin......Page 127 9. Franklin on national character and the Great Seal of the United States......Page 140 10. Protestant ethic or conspicuous consumption? Benjamin Franklin and the Gilded Age......Page 155 11. Benjamin Franklin and the American Dream......Page 168 12. Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, then and now......Page 182 Further reading......Page 195 Index......Page 200

Comprehensive and accessible, this Companion addresses several well-known themes in the study of Franklin and his writings, while also showing Franklin in conversation with his British and European counterparts in science, philosophy, and social theory. Specially commissioned chapters, written by scholars well-known in their respective fields, examine Franklin's writings and his life with a new sophistication, placing Franklin in his cultural milieu while revealing the complexities of his intellectual, literary, social, and political views. Individual chapters take up several traditional topics, such as Franklin and the American dream, Franklin and capitalism, and Franklin's views of American national character. Other chapters delve into Franklin's library and his philosophical views on morality, religion, science, and the Enlightenment and explore his continuing influence in American culture. This Companion will be essential reading for students and scholars of American literature, history and culture.

Benjamin Franklin's library / Kevin J. Hayes The art of virtue / Douglas Anderson Franklin's satiric vein / Paul E. Kerry Franklin in the republic of letters / David S. Shields Benjamin Franklin's natural philosophy / Joyce E. Chaplin Franklin and the Enlightenment / Frank Kelleter Franklin and the question of religion / Kerry Walters The pragmatist in Franklin / James Campbell Franklin on national character and the Great Seal of the United States / Lester C. Olson Protestant ethic or conspicuous consumption? : Benjamin Franklin and the Gilded Age / Wilson J. Moses Benjamin Franklin and the American dream / Nian-Sheng Huang and Carla Mulford Benjamin Franklin's autobiography, then and now / Stephen Carl Arch. Essential reading for students and scholars of American literature, history and culture, this resource addresses several well-known themes in the study of Franklin and his writings, while also showing Franklin in conversation with his British and European counterparts in science, philosophy, and social theory