# Josiah Franklin — The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin character guide

> Josiah Franklin in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Josiah

**First appearance:** 0004-i-ancestry-and-early-youth-in-boston

## Who they are

Franklin's father, a tallow chandler and candle maker in Boston.

## In the story

### [The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters/the-autobiography-of-benjamin-franklin)

Benjamin's father, who advised him on practical wisdom and moral conduct.

### [I: Ancestry and Early Youth in Boston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters/i-ancestry-and-early-youth-in-boston)

Benjamin's father, a tallow-chandler and soap-boiler, known for his sound judgment and mechanical genius.

### [II: Beginning Life as a Printer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters/ii-beginning-life-as-a-printer)

Benjamin's father; discourages Benjamin's poetry, determines to make him a printer, and later sides with James in the dispute.

### [IV: First Visit to Boston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters/iv-first-visit-to-boston)

Franklin's father, who refuses Governor Keith's proposal, judging Franklin too young to manage a business.

### [Business Success and First Public Service](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters/viii-business-success-and-first-public-service)

His proverb about diligence is recalled by Franklin as encouragement.

### [Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters/ix-plan-for-attaining-moral-perfection)

Mentioned indirectly as Franklin reflects on his upbringing and the influence of his father's teachings.

### [Interest in Public Affairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters/xi-interest-in-public-affairs)

Franklin's father; referenced indirectly in the context of Franklin's upbringing and moral lessons.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/characters/josiah_franklin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/franklin_autobiography_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/characters