Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) is best known as an American revolutionary politician, but he also excelled as a printer, journalist and natural philosopher despite having little formal education. As a statesman, he was the only person to sign all three major documents of American statehood: the Declaration of Independence, the peace treaty with Britain, and the United States constitution. This three-volume set, first published in 1874, was compiled from Franklin's autobiography (covering the period up to 1857) and autobiographical passages from correspondence and other writings. Using Franklin's own words, it tells his remarkable story, which is integral to the political history of America. Written as an open letter to his son, Franklin's autobiography remains one of the most popular works in the genre. The letters describe Franklin's later political career and ideals, his diplomatic missions to Europe, his scientific experiments, and his retirement, and Volume 3 also contains his will.