Product guide

The Ingenious Dr. Franklin: Selected Scientific Letters of Benjamin Franklin

The Ingenious Dr. Franklin collects selected scientific letters by Benjamin Franklin, presenting his correspondence on practical questions, observations, experiments, and deductions. The book is described as an unabridged selection, with topics ranging from eyeglasses and weather to the Gulf Stream and early human flight.

At a glance

Organized into three sections on practical schemes, experiments and observations, and scientific deductions and conjectures.
The described subjects include choosing eyeglasses, clouds, oil and water, smallpox and cancer, the Gulf Stream, and prehistoric animals of the Ohio.
The listing describes the selected letters as unabridged.

Price

$21.60Save 38%

Reference price: ~~$35.00~~

Price checked: Nov 14, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The broad topic range connects Franklin’s scientific correspondence with practical questions and natural observations.
Three named sections give readers a clear thematic structure.

Technical specifications

9 specifications

Publication
Publisher	University of Pennsylvania Press
Publication date	October 1, 1974
Edition	Reprint
Language	English
Print length	256 pages

Identifiers
ISBN-10	0812210670
ISBN-13	978-0812210675

Dimensions and installation
Weight listed	11.2 ounces
Dimensions	5 x 0.59 x 8.25 inches

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers interested in Benjamin Franklin’s scientific correspondence and ideas.
Readers looking for historical writing on early science, invention, and observation.

Less suited to

Readers seeking a biography or a modern, systematic science textbook rather than historical letters.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.7 / 5 · 2 ratings

5 stars66%66%
4 stars34%34%
3 stars0%0%
2 stars0%0%
1 star0%0%

The available aggregate ratings are generally favorable, but they come from only two ratings. That small sample does not establish which aspects readers liked or whether the book suits a particular reader.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of book is The Ingenious Dr. Franklin?

It is a selection of Benjamin Franklin’s scientific letters, organized around practical schemes, experiments and observations, and scientific deductions and conjectures.

What subjects do the letters cover?

The described topics include eyeglasses, pleasant dreams, clouds, oil and water, smallpox and cancer, colds, the Gulf Stream, and prehistoric animals of the Ohio.

How long is this edition?

The listed print length is 256 pages.