Thetford's Ancicent House Museum is set to acquire a rare edition of a book written by the town's most famous son.

Eastern Daily Press: Thomas Paine. Picture: Supplied.Thomas Paine. Picture: Supplied. (Image: Archant)

A 1791 edition of Thomas Paine's Rights of Man, translated into French as Droits de l'Homme, has been purchased for the museum by the Thomas Paine Society, the Friends of Thetford Museum and the Tom Paine Legacy Group.

Rights of Man was written in two parts in support of the ideals of the French Revolution and was published in 1791 and 1792.

The book will be used by the museum to tell Paine's story, explain his ideas and encourage people to learn about this period of history.

The works will be presented to the museum on Monday, February 27.

David Ward, chairman of the Thomas Paine Society, said: 'As a society run to promote the name of Thomas Paine the opportunity to bring such a rare book to Thetford was just to good to miss.'