Poor Richard's Almanac

Poor Richard's Almanac, almanac, written and published by Benjamin Franklin. The almanac was published annually from 1732 to 1757. It included weather predictions, poetry, astrological signs, as well as proverbs and advice. Franklin wrote the almanac under the pen name Richard Saunders. In the early almanacs, Richard had a foolish, dull personality, but in subsequent almanacs he developed into a witty, clever character who promoted thrift, simplicity, and hard work as the keys to success. Some of his now famous proverbs were: “God helps those who help themselves” and “a penny saved is a penny earned.” The almanac was popular in its time, and the philosophies it expressed continue to be relevant.

See also: Franklin, Benjamin.