Representing a lifetime of research, this seven-volume biography will give readers an unmatched resource for understanding Benjamin Franklin's character and place in American history. This second volume chronicles the years of Franklin's success in printing and publishing, including his interest in technology and science.

List of IllustrationsPrefacePART I. A NEW LIFE, AGE 24 TO 30 (1730-1736)1. Personal and Business Life2. The Art of Virtue3. Freemason4. The Library Company of Philadelphia5. Man of Letters6. Politics, Religion and the Rivalry with Bradford, 17327. Poor Richard's Prefaces, 1733-17478. Poor Richard's Proverbs9. Franklin and Politics, 1730-173610. The Hemphill Controversy11. Assessing Franklin as a Young Man, Age 24 to 30PART II. EXPANDING PERSONAL INTERESTS, AGE 30 THROUGH 41 (1736-1747)12. Personal Life13. The Assembly Clerk and Pennsylvania Politics14. Firefighter15. Earning a Living: Printer, Publisher, Merchant, Bookseller and Postmaster16. Concerned Citizen17. George Whitefield and the Great Awakening18. Natural Philosophy19. Satires and Other Writings, 1736-174720. Assessing Franklin, Age 30 through 41Appendices1. New Attributions2. Franklin's Organizations: Dates and Locations of Meetings, 1727-17473. Pennsylvania Assembly: Pay to Franklin4. Sample Wages and Prices in Colonial PhiladelphiaSources, Documentation, DatesAbbreviated ReferencesNotesIndexAcknowledgments