Name/Title
Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin:Description
FRANKLIN, Benjamin. Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin: Consisting of His Life Written by Himself, Together with Essays, Humorous, Moral & Literary, Chiefly in the Manner of the Spectator. In Two Volumes. London: Printed for G.G.J. and J. Robinson, 1793.
Volume One consists of the Autobiography, re-translated back into English from the first edition, which was the French translation of Franklin's manuscript, as well as the continuation of his life by Dr. Stuber, and extracts from Franklin's will.
Volume Two collects 35 of Franklin's better-known essays. This edition adds three essays not included in the first edition.
This edition was edited by Benjamin Vaughan. The book was prepared for publication in 1791, but was withheld because of Temple Franklin's announcement of an edition of his grandfather's writings.
An additional volume of Franklin's scientific writings was also announced, but never printed. "Owing to the non-appearance of Temple Franklin's edition, this re-translation of the Autobiography and the collection of essays has become the 'popular' and one might almost say 'chap-book' edition of Franklin's 'Life and Writings.' - Ford.Other Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
ReferencesOther Number
Howes F-323. For 438. Though Ford writes that the first issue of the first edition contains an "erratum" and "there is a second issue in which these errors were corrected," the erratum is present in this stated second edition, and the error is uncorrected.Condition
Overall Condition
Very GoodDate Examined
Jul 29, 2024Notes
2nd ed. ix, [3], 317, [1, erratum]; [vi], 290pp. Engraved title pages with portrait vignettes.
Rebound in 19*" century half calf and marbled boards, gilt-stamped raised spine bands. Front hinge of Vol. One tender but holding, early repair to spine of Vol. Two, else a very good set.