Lone Traveler: The Singular Life of Benjamin Franklin

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Lone Traveler The Singular Life of Benjamin Franklin Robert A. Crimmins

Copyright Š 2013 by Robert A. Crimmins ISBN 978-0-9648513-3-7

5012 Killens Pond Road, Felton, Delaware, USA 19943, 302-284-8025


Part 1 – Contents Part 1 – 1706 to 1718 Chapter 1

The Franklins And The Folgers

Part 2 – 1718 to 1723 – Apprenticeship Chapter 2

The Runaway

Part 3 – 1723 to 1725 – Philadelphia Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5

Travelers Tell Fine Tales “With one Dutch dollar and about a shilling of copper” Opportunity Knocks

Part 4 – 1725 and 1726 – London Chapter 6

The Governor’s “Pitiful Trick”

Part 5 – 1726 to 1729 – In the Employ of Others Chapter 7

Death of a Friend

Part 6 – 1729 to 1748 - Businessman Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10

Poor Richard Family Public Service and “Retirement”

Part 7 – 1748 to 1753 – Science, Publishing & The Mail Chapter 11 Chapter 12

Father and Son Make History Politics and the Mail

Part 8 – 1754 to 1757 – War & Politics Chapter 13 Chapter 14

War To England

Part 9 – 1757 to 1762 – Limits on Proprietorship Chapter 15 Chapter 16

Realization Victory

Part 10 – 1762 to 1764 – Briefly Home Chapter 17

Home, another mission, once more to England

Part 11 – 1764 to 1775 – A New World Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20

Early Conflicts A “prime conductor” “. . . hope becomes despair”


Part 12 – 1775 to 1776 – Revolution Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

21 22 23 24 25 26

Last Chance “My time never was more fully employed.” On the Verge of World War Common Sense Unity & Independence “… abounding pride and deficient wisdom …“

Part 13 – 1776 to 1785 – France Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

“Such a person was made to excite the curiosity of Paris” Intrigue Early Victories Personal Correspondence and An Offer To Help Edward Gibbon The Tide Turns, The First Time The Diplomat’s Victory A Little Revenge Discord Within The Mission Philosophers, John Paul Jones and William’s Plight The Tide Turns Again Love Pain The World Turned Upside Down “The King hates us cordially . . .” Momentum Peace Glory “…the greatest man and ornament of the age…”

Part 14 – 1785 to 1790 – Final Years Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47

Continued Service The Constitution Conclusion


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