Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Vol IV. No. XX. January, 1852.

“Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Vol IV. No. XX. January, 1852” by Various is a historical magazine published in the mid-19th century. This volume features essays and articles on a variety of topics, one of which includes a detailed exploration of the early life of Benjamin Franklin, providing insights into his formative years and character. The writing illustrates the significance of Franklin’s personal influence on American values such as hard work and prudence. The opening portion of the magazine focuses primarily on the early and private life of Benjamin Franklin, as narrated by Jacob Abbott. It discusses Franklin’s family background, early education, and experiences that shaped his character, including his apprenticeship to a printing house. The narrative highlights his insatiable curiosity for reading and learning, his desire for independence that eventually led him to leave home, and the challenges he faced in his early career. Throughout this section, readers are introduced to the young Franklin as a figure of industriousness and a budding intellectual, setting the stage for his later achievements as a prominent statesman and inventor.