The Compleated Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (2007), edited by Mark Skousen and published by The Classics of Liberty Library, is a meticulously crafted extension of Benjamin Franklin’s famously unfinished memoir. Drawing from Franklin’s personal letters, diplomatic correspondence, essays, and private journals, Skousen seamlessly stitches together a first-person narrative that picks up where Franklin’s original Autobiography (which ends in 1757) leaves off. The book chronicles Franklin’s later years—his pivotal role in the American Revolution, his shrewd diplomacy in France, his contributions to the Constitution, and his evolving views on liberty and slavery—all in Franklin’s own voice.
Skousen’s editorial work preserves the wit, wisdom, and conversational tone of Franklin’s writing while filling in historical gaps with carefully curated primary sources. The result is a cohesive and engaging account that transforms scattered writings into a unified “autobiography,” offering fresh insights into Franklin’s genius, humor, and humanity. Ideal for admirers of Franklin and students of early American history, this volume serves as both a companion to the classic memoir and a standalone exploration of the Founding Father’s most consequential decades.
