Unpublished at the time of his death, Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography has since become the most widely read memoir of all time. This edition, published in celebration of the 300th anniversary of his birth, was letterpress printed from a digital typeface with historical relevance; named Aitken for Robert Aitken, the famous printer during the Revolution, and his daughter Jane Aitken, printer of the first American translation of the Bible (1808). Arion commissioned this proprietary face from type designer Linnea Lundquist especially for this project.

Franklin’s Autobiography presents with vividness the key episodes in a young man’s rise, from poor apprentice to prominent citizen. Its unifying theme is the lessons in behavior and morality he learns along the way. It has been accurately described as a conduct book, but it is a greatly entertaining one. The Autobiography brings Franklin to life for the modern reader as a storyteller of genius who chooses just the right moment to laugh at himself.

Accompanying the book is a keepsake detailing the history of the discovery and acquisition of Franklin's lost manuscript by John Bigelow in Paris in 1867.

Production Details

• Edition of 400 numbered copies for sale

• Octavo, 9 by 6-1/2 inches, 188 pages

• Bound in full brown leather with gold titling

• Arion Press publication #75, 2006