Poor Richard

Poor Richard

▪ fictional American philosopher
      unschooled but experienced homespun philosopher, a character created by the American writer and statesman Benjamin Franklin (Franklin, Benjamin) and used as his pen name for the annual Poor Richard's almanac, edited by Franklin from 1732 to 1757. Although the Poor Richard of the early almanacs was a dim-witted and foolish astronomer, he was soon replaced by Franklin's famous Poor Richard, a country dweller, dutifully pious, quiet, and rather dull, who is a rich source of prudent and witty aphorisms on the value of thrift, hard work, and the simple life. Among his practical proverbs are “God helps those who help themselves” and “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”

      The Way to Wealth (1757) is a collection of Poor Richard's advice on getting ahead in business and public life. Poor Richard is the precursor of later horse-sense characters such as Sam Slick, Josh Billings, and Davy Crockett, who belong to a tradition of typically American humour.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Poor Richard — Richard Saunders (pseudonym used by Benjamin Franklin in writing Poor Richard’s Amanack) …   Eponyms, nicknames, and geographical games

  • Poor Richard — Benjamin Franklin Pour les articles homonymes, voir Benjamin Franklin (homonymie). Benjamin Franklin …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Poor Richard's Almanack — (sometimes Almanac ) was a yearly almanack published by Benjamin Franklin, who adopted the pseudonym of Poor Richard or Richard Saunders for this purpose. The publication appeared continually from 1732 to 1758. It was a best seller for a pamphlet …   Wikipedia

  • Poor Richard's Almanack — Poor Richard’s Almanack [Poor Richards Almanack] a book published each year in the US between 1733 and 1758. It was written by Benjamin Franklin under the name of Richard Saunders. It contained useful information on important dates, anniversaries …   Useful english dictionary

  • Poor Richard's Almanac — Bonhomme Richard Poor Richard Almanack 1739 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Poor Richard's Almanac — n. almanac published by Benjamin Franklin (who adopted the pen name Poor Richard ) which appeared successively from 1732 to 1757 …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Poor Richard’s Almanack — a book published each year in the US between 1733 and 1758. It was written by Benjamin Franklin under the name of Richard Saunders. It contained useful information on important dates, anniversaries, etc, as well as wise advice in the form of… …   Universalium

  • POOR RICHARD —    the name assumed by FRANKLIN (q.v. FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN) in his almanacs …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Poor Richard's Almanac — an almanac (1732 58) written and published by Benjamin Franklin. * * * …   Universalium

  • Poor Richard's Almanac — an almanac (1732 58) written and published by Benjamin Franklin …   Useful english dictionary

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