[Rocket Man]

In our world and the close parallel of Amanuensis-3, Charles Thomson served as secretary to the Continental Congress throughout the American Revolution. In both worlds, he wrote out a memoir of his time in the Congress which would have served as a fascinating and indispensable political history of the revolution.

But in our world, Thomson burned the manuscript shortly before his death, fearful that an accurate account of the Founding Fathers' behavior would destroy reputations and humiliate descendents. The Thomson of "A-3" died at 90 instead of 95, still a respectable age, but soon enough to prevent the hasty decision that has enraged historians ever since.

While it wasn't the runaway Homeline hit that The Honeymoon Diaries of JFK and Marilyn Monroe was, Thomson's history was acquired by universities worldwide and became a standard text, providing a steady stream of revenue for the public-domain work.