Richard Munson

An American author and clean energy advocate. With an interest in innovators, Munson also wrote “Tech to Table: 25 Innovators Reimagining Food” (Island Press, 2021) and “Tesla: Inventor of the Modern” (Norton, 2018) He is the author of five other books with topics that range from U.S. government energy policy to profiles of tycoon George Fabyan and oceanographer Jacques Cousteau.

His latest book, “Ingenious: A Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist” was released by W.W. Norton & Company in November 2024. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called it an “electrifying portrait. … Munson proves there’s reason yet to revisit the much-studied statesman.”

The dramatic story of an ingenious man who explained nature and created a country.

Benjamin Franklin was one of the preeminent scientists of his time. Driven by curiosity, he conducted cutting-edge research on electricity, heat, ocean currents, weather patterns, chemical bonds, and plants. But today, Franklin is remembered more for his political prowess and diplomatic achievements than his scientific creativity.

In this incisive and rich account of Benjamin Franklin’s life and career, Richard Munson will discuss this vital part of Franklin’s story, reveals his modern relevance, and offers a compelling portrait of a shrewd experimenter, clever innovator, and visionary physicist whose fame opened doors to negotiate French support and funding for American independence.

Munson’s riveting narrative will explore how science underpins Franklin’s entire story―from tradesman to inventor to nation-founder―and argues that Franklin’s political life cannot be understood without giving proper credit to his scientific accomplishments.