Self-Improvement in Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography

Introduction: Franklin's Purpose in Writing His Autobiography

Benjamin Franklin was able to accomplish many things that ordinary men often are not given the opportunity to do. Franklin's father, Josiah, had initially planned for him to serve the Church; however, Franklin's ambition and intelligence proved to Josiah that his son was destined for greater things. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was written between 1771 and 1790 and was intended to serve as a guide and inspiration to Franklin's son, William, who at the time was the Royal Governor of New Jersey. The autobiography is divided into four parts and not only chronicles Franklin's life, but also outlines the steps he took to become the successful man he is now remembered as being. By detailing the different opportunities and ventures he pursued throughout his life, Franklin provides a guide for self-improvement.

One of the key reasons that Franklin wrote his autobiography was to pass down "any little anecdotes of [his] ancestors" and other personal inducements (Franklin, 1790, p. 3). Furthermore, Franklin writes:

Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world, and having gone so far through 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, and therefore fit to be imitated. (Franklin, 1790, pp. 3–4)

Rising from Obscurity: Talent, Opportunity, and Hard Work

In this introductory letter and dedication to his son William, Franklin makes it clear that he wants others to be able to follow in his footsteps, and that there are no excuses for not being able to excel at anything one dedicates time and resources to.

By establishing that he gained power, knowledge, and education through hard work and dedication — and not because he was born into a wealthy family — Franklin demonstrates that one does not have to come from a privileged background to be successful. Additionally, Franklin contends that one needs to make his or her talents known early on, and he also emphasizes the importance of having those talents recognized.

Franklin explains that the life he led was not the life his father had intended for him. His journey of self-empowerment was prompted by his father's recognition of his natural intelligence and love of reading. Franklin (1790) writes, "I was put to the grammar-school at eight years of age, my father intending to devote me, as the tithe of his sons, to the service of the Church. My early readiness in learning to read … and the opinion of all his friends, that I should certainly make a good scholar, encouraged him in this purpose of his" (p. 8). Though his father's recognition of Franklin's natural talents provided a catalyst for self-improvement, it is important to keep in mind that Franklin had to seize the opportunity he was given and make every moment count.

Franklin learned at a young age that if one takes advantage of any given situation, he or she may be able to transform what they learn from that experience into something that is personally or financially profitable. Not only does Franklin have a varied working life, but he also takes every opportunity to learn about new trades and develop his own ideas — experience that would later be added to his repertoire as an inventor.

Perseverance and Learning from Mistakes

Another quality that Franklin identifies as necessary for self-improvement is perseverance. There are many times during which Franklin's endeavors do not pay off as he had hoped; however, he is always able to find a way to make the most of what he did manage to accomplish. If one takes his approach to writing as an analogy for his approach to any other endeavor, it becomes clear that Franklin was meticulous about learning from his mistakes. Franklin (1790) writes, "By comparing my work afterwards with the original, I discovered many faults and amended them; but sometimes had the pleasure of fancying that, in certain particulars of small import, I had been lucky enough to improve the method or the language" (p. 15).

This approach to editing and self-review demonstrates that Franklin believed it essential to learn from one's past mistakes and failures, regardless of what one is attempting to accomplish.

Conclusion: A Guide for Every Person

In his autobiography, Benjamin Franklin successfully provides the tools for self-improvement. He contends that ambition, dedication, resilience, and discipline will help any individual attain their goals. The qualities he describes within his autobiography hold true to this day. Self-improvement is ultimately dependent on the individual and his or her desire to better themselves. Although Benjamin Franklin set out to provide a guide for his son, he accomplished far more than that — he created a guide for every man and every woman.