One real‐world example of this is Ulysses S. Grant’s autobiography[1], which he wrote while dying of throat cancer, specifically to provide for his wife. He died five days after finishing the final manuscript.

It’s a great read and I’m glad it was written. I’m also glad that the copyright has expired and as a result there exist free, high‐quality community‐maintained ebook editions.

[1] https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/ulysses-s-grant/personal-m...