the 18th century legal scholar, william blackstone, wrote a four-volume "commentaries on the laws of england" which for the first time provided a complete overview of english law. originally published 1765–1769, it has since been republished many times. used well into the 19th century, his commentaries were the main instruction tool in learning the law in both england and america. abraham lincoln read blackstone's commentaries as part of teaching himself the law.