The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin (2004) by Gordon S. Wood, a prize-winning historian at Brown University, explores how Benjamin Franklin evolved from a largely overlooked figure in his own time into a symbol of American values. Moving beyond myth, Wood examines Franklin’s journey from humble origins to global prominence—as a self-made gentleman, loyal British subject, disillusioned patriot, and skilled diplomat. The book traces how 19th-century Americans reimagined Franklin as the embodiment of industriousness and success, while critics saw him as the face of shallow materialism. Through Franklin’s transformation, Wood offers a nuanced portrait of both the man and the American identity he came to represent.
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