This volume on Benjamin Franklin contains sections on literary, political, economic, scientific and religious concerns. Beginning with an introduction surveying the history of scholarly comment on Franklin, the volume includes essays by D.H. Lawrence attacking Franklin, and Ormond Seavey clarifying the attack in "Benjamin Franklin and D.H. Lawrence as Conflicting Modes of Consciousness." Other articles cover Franklin as a diplomat; his last years in England; his economic thought; his scientific concerns; his religion; and his Memoirs. The volume concludes with a section "Views from Abroad," that deals with Franklin and his French contemporaries such as Voltaire; Franklin's impact on the Imperial Court of Japan; his relationship with the Italians; and his influence on the German bougeoise's assessment of the American Revolution. ISBN 0-8161-8699-5: $35.00.