Franklin begins working as an apprentice in his older brother James's printing shop.

James Franklin opens one of America's first newspapers, The New England Courant.

After a falling out with his brother James, Franklin flees Boston and travels to Philadelphia.

Franklin arrives in Philadelphia and begins working at Keimer's print shop.

Governor Keith visits Franklin at Keimer's shop, impressed by Franklin's writing abilities.

Franklin sails to London and discovers that Governor Keith's promised financial support was entirely fictitious.

Franklin returns to Philadelphia and opens his own printing shop alongside a partner named Meredith.

Franklin founds the Junto club as a space for open debate on morals, politics, and philosophy.

Franklin reconnects with and marries Deborah Read, correcting what he calls his great Erratum.

Franklin establishes the first subscription library in Philadelphia with help from Junto club members.

Franklin publishes Poor Richard's Almanac to entertain and spread practical wisdom among common readers.

Franklin conducts his famous kite experiment to advance the scientific study of electricity.

The Pennsylvania Assembly appoints Franklin as a commissioner to advocate for colonial rights in England.

Franklin learns the British government believes the king alone has the right to legislate for the colonies.

Proprietary governors threaten to remove Governor Denny from office but ultimately never follow through.

Franklin's story begins in Boston, where he apprentices as a printer under his brother James before fleeing to Philadelphia after a serious quarrel. In Philadelphia, he gains the attention of Governor Keith, who encourages his ambitions but ultimately betrays his trust on a trip to London. Returning to Philadelphia, Franklin builds a successful printing business, marries Deborah Read, founds the Junto club, and establishes the first subscription library in the colonies. His scientific and civic achievements grow as he conducts his famous electricity experiments and contributes broadly to colonial life. As tensions mount between the colonies and Britain, the Pennsylvania Assembly sends Franklin to London as a commissioner to advocate for colonial rights. He returns having discovered that the British government denies the colonies any right to self-governance, foreshadowing the coming revolution.

Franklin's rise from apprentice printer to colonial statesman.

Franklin's father pulls him out of grammar school to help with the family soap and candle business.

Franklin and friends steal materials from a construction site to build a wharf, earning a reprimand.

Franklin hones his writing skills by imitating the style of the British newspaper the Spectator.

Franklin meets John Collins and begins practicing his debate skills through written letters.

Franklin secretly submits an essay to James's newspaper, and it is published without anyone knowing his identity.

Franklin moves into the home of John Read, the father of his future wife Deborah.

Robert Holmes shows Governor Keith a letter Franklin wrote, and Keith is immediately impressed by the writing.

Franklin's father Josiah rejects Governor Keith's proposal but praises his son for earning such distinguished attention.

Franklin befriends Charles Osborne, Joseph Watson, and James Ralph, regularly competing together in writing contests.

Franklin becomes the official printer for the Pennsylvania Assembly after building his printing business.

Franklin returns to Boston after a decade away and reconciles with his terminally ill brother James.

Franklin loses one of his younger sons to smallpox.

Franklin invents an improved stove but declines to patent it, allowing a man in London to profit instead.

Franklin designs an improved streetlamp model and proposes a bill for paved streets in Philadelphia.

Franklin is appointed postmaster general of America.

Franklin's early years in Boston are shaped by his father's practical guidance, childhood mischief, and his first steps as a writer imitating established literary models. His move to Philadelphia introduces him to key figures, including Deborah Read's father and the governor whose support proves unreliable, while he builds a circle of fellow writers and debaters. Franklin grows his printing business to become the official printer of the Pennsylvania Assembly, securing both income and influence. His later years are marked by personal losses alongside continued civic achievements, including reconciling with his dying brother and losing a son to smallpox. His inventions, infrastructure improvements, and appointment as postmaster general demonstrate the remarkable breadth of his contributions to colonial life. These events fill in the personal and professional texture surrounding Franklin's more celebrated milestones.

Behind-the-scenes moments shaping Franklin's character and career.

Franklin's father discourages his attempts at poetry, steering him toward more practical and profitable work.

Franklin studies the Socratic Method to sharpen his debate and argumentation skills.

Franklin reveals to James that he anonymously wrote the published essay, causing a serious quarrel between the brothers.

James is imprisoned by the Assembly for publishing a controversial piece, leaving his newspaper without a leader.

James prevents Franklin from being hired by any other printer in Boston, forcing Franklin to leave the city.

Franklin lends Vernon's entrusted money to Collins, who spends it on alcohol, marking what Franklin calls his first great mistake.

Franklin reflects on his religious beliefs and adopts Deism as his personal philosophical and spiritual outlook.

Franklin compiles a list of 13 virtues and creates a chart to systematically track his moral development.

Franklin includes a structured daily schedule in his writings to model his disciplined approach to productive living.

A Quaker friend criticizes Franklin's pride, convincing him to add humility as the final virtue on his list.

Traveling preacher Whitefield asks Franklin to help fund an orphanage in Georgia, and Franklin agrees to assist.

Franklin works to establish a colonial militia but faces resistance from Quakers committed to pacifism.

Dr. Fothergill declares Franklin's electricity papers too valuable to suppress, enabling their publication and translation into multiple languages.

Franklin writes a public letter urging colonists in several counties to fund and supply the war effort.

Franklin observes that American colonists are beginning to question Britain's ability to lead and govern the colonies.

Franklin's early turning points — his father redirecting him away from poetry, his secret essay, and the quarrel that severed his bond with James — set him on an independent and self-reliant path. His flight from Boston and his mishandling of Vernon's entrusted money mark formative errors he spends years working to correct. Resuming his autobiography in France, Franklin shares his deepest reflections, including his embrace of Deism and his systematic 13-virtue program for moral self-improvement, revealing a man as devoted to inner discipline as to outward achievement. A friend's criticism of his pride leads him to add humility to his virtue list, illustrating a genuine capacity for self-examination. His religious negotiations, scientific breakthroughs, and wartime correspondence show a figure shaped as much by setbacks and compromise as by success. Franklin's growing awareness of colonial discontent with British leadership hints at the revolutionary rupture that will define the remainder of his life.