Benjamin Franklin is one of history’s greatest achievers. In INGENIOUS, Richard Munson delves deeply into the remarkable talents, skills and intellectual prowess of a man known to be one of America’s Founding Fathers but who was so much more.

As Munson points out at the beginning of this fascinating treatise, Franklin is generally remembered and honored mainly for his “diplomacy and writings.” In fact, as he makes clear, it was Franklin’s achievements in the realm of scientific exploration that convinced the political leaders of his day to draw him toward their crucial concerns. Besides a “simple-sounding kite experiment” and the invention and continual upgrading of the laudably utilitarian cooking stove, Franklin’s works typified what would come to be known as “the scientific method.”

"Bringing this great figure back into focus is a gift that Munson offers especially to all intellectually curious Americans, providing fodder for a wider comprehension of their nation’s origins."

But Franklin did not work in isolation. He insisted that the knowledge he garnered be shared by all, making him a true proponent of democracy. Franklin began working at the age of 15 in his brother’s print shop. He soon created an amusing female persona, “Silence Dogood,” to spread and share, through publication, his singular views. This led to his establishment, in Philadelphia, of Junto, an amalgam of young men like himself who were striving for improvement and recognition within their various trades.

This urge to unify was a strong element of Franklin’s character, along with his enthusiasm for nature and natural events such as air currents, and would play a role in his acceptance into the political arena. As Munson emphasizes, Franklin was sought by leaders such as Thomas Jefferson, whom he assisted in writing, editing and signing the Declaration of Independence.

Munson makes it plain from the outset that he will stress Franklin’s nonconformity in tandem with his zeal for inclusion and his wry, dry wit. His diligent research has yielded a fresh look at a figure whose name is well known within a limited spotlight, but whose propensities and abilities reach far beyond, into the probable area of true genius. As Munson observes, “to Franklin, the United States was an experiment,” making it open to be retested over time as new crises and concepts arise.

Bringing this great figure back into focus is a gift that Munson offers especially to all intellectually curious Americans, providing fodder for a wider comprehension of their nation’s origins.