Poor Richard's Almanac
POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC
POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC (1732–1796), published by Benjamin Franklin, contained Franklin's pithy sayings and moral prescriptions in addition to the usual almanac information on the weather, tides, and medicinal remedies. Each edition saw increased sales; the almanac was second only to the Bible in popularity among colonial readers, with annual sales reaching ten thousand copies. Franklin likely ceased to write for the almanac after 1748, when he began to devote most of his time and energy to public affairs. He continued as its editor and publisher until 1757, and the almanac was published until 1796. In 1758 Franklin collected the best of his contributions to the almanac in Father Abraham's Speech, better known as The Way to Wealth.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Brands, H. W. The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin. New York: Doubleday, 2000.
Clark, Ronald W. Benjamin Franklin: A Biography. New York: Random House, 1983.
E. H. O'Neill / s. b.
See also Almanacs ; and vol. 9: Maxims from Poor Richard's Almanack .