| I. | Ancestry and Early Life in Boston | 3 |
| II. | Beginning Life as a Printer | 21 |
| III. | Arrival in Philadelphia | 41 |
| IV. | First Visit to Boston | 55 |
| V. | Early Friends in Philadelphia | 69 |
| VI. | First Visit to London | 77 |
| VII. | Beginning Business in Philadelphia | 99 |
| VIII. | Business Success and First Public Service | 126 |
| IX. | Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection | 146 |
| X. | Poor Richard's Almanac and Other Activities | 169 |
| XI. | Interest in Public Affairs | 188 |
| XII. | Defense of the Province | 201 |
| XIII. | Public Services and Duties | 217 |
| XIV. | Albany Plan of Union | 241 |
| XV. | Quarrels with the Proprietary Governors | 246 |
| XVI. | Braddock's Expedition | 253 |
| XVII. | Franklin's Defense of the Frontier | 274 |
| XVIII. | Scientific Experiments | 289 |
| XIX. | Agent of Pennsylvania in London | 296 |
