The Works of Alexander Hamilton (Lodge edition)

What it is

This is a multi-volume collection of the writings of Alexander Hamilton, compiled and edited by Henry Cabot Lodge. It gathers Hamilton's essays, letters, and reports, including early pieces such as his 1774 pamphlet responding to a loyalist writer. The edition includes bibliographical notes for researchers.

Why it matters

Because Hamilton's original papers are scattered, this edited collection became a standard reference for anyone studying his ideas and career, from his early writings during the American Revolution to his later work on finance and government. It shows how later editors like Lodge shaped how we read Hamilton's words.

Look closer

• Why might an editor's choices about what to include affect how we understand a historical figure?
• What does the plain, formal cover of the book suggest about its purpose?
• How is reading an edited collection different from reading an original letter?