Ingenious : a biography of Benjamin Franklin, scientist / Cover Image

Ingenious : a biography of Benjamin Franklin, scientist / Richard Munson.

Biography of Benjamin Franklin, scientist (portion title)

Summary:

Benjamin Franklin was one of the preeminent scientists of his time. Driven by curiosity, he conducted cutting-edge research on electricity, heat, ocean currents, weather patterns, chemical bonds, and plants. But today, Franklin is remembered more for his political prowess and diplomatic achievements than his scientific creativity. Franklin was a shrewd experimenter, clever innovator, and visionary physicist whose fame opened doors to negotiate French support and funding for American independence. Munson argues that Franklin's political life cannot be understood without giving proper credit to his scientific accomplishments.

Record details

ISBN: 9780393882230
ISBN: 0393882233
Physical Description: 240 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates ; 24 cm
Edition: First edition
Publisher: New York, New York : W. W. Norton & Company, [2025]
Copyright: ©2025

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 211-230) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:	The kite -- Ingenious ancestors -- Searching for opportunity -- Building a business empire -- Electricity and heat -- Fighting the Penns -- Frustration in the colonies -- Frustration in London -- Every kind of science -- The catalyst -- Revolution -- Science opens the door -- Peacemaker -- More to discover -- The Constitutional experiment -- Closing the books -- A long shadow.