Poor Richard’s Almanack: Timeless Wisdom From Benjamin Franklin

In this installment of ‘The Art of Liberty,’ we see how the power of Ben Franklin’s pen influenced early Americans.

A 19th-century print based on Poor Richard's Almanack, showing the author surrounded by 19 illustrations of many of his best-known sayings. The original print showed 24. Library of Congress. Public Domain

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) has been called the “First American” for his impressive variety of skills and talents, his developments in many colonial industries, and his role in the founding of the new democracy.

In his day, Franklin’s claim to fame was the influence he had on his community through his pen, though it was written under a different name. He was a printer by trade and read voraciously. This inspired him to write books and pamphlets or essays to educate, amuse, and enlighten his fellow citizens.