2002, Yale University Press, London, 339 pages

Edwin S. Morgan’s Benjamin Franklin is much less concerned with Franklin’s youth and low beginnings that Franklin was and also less concerned with Franklin’s diversions, sexually transmitted diseases, and other trivia, that other modern commentators seem to focus on. He describes Franklin as a figure that is very close to that of Leonardo Da Vinci excepting the beautiful artwork. Franklin’s seeking of patrons for his intellect outside of his home city, his wide range of interests, his dabbling in science, and even his sketches, recall Da Vinci.

“His remarkable discussion of ways to improve the design of ships and their rigging, along with his observations on the course of the Gulf Stream, a piece of writing that deserves a place alongside Leonardo Da Vinci’s designs for aircraft. He worked with Noah Webster to devise a more phonetic spelling of the English language...”

In short, Franklin had so many interests and such aptitude, and the world he was born into was so young, technologically, that even a survey of his contributions to science, academics and politics would take a book.