Thomas Paine

1737–1809

English-born American Founding Father whose pamphlet Common Sense sparked the call for independence Show bio

Bio

Thomas Paine sold his household goods in 1774 to stay out of debtors' prison in England. He met Benjamin Franklin in London and sailed for Philadelphia with Franklin's letter of recommendation.

Paine published Common Sense in 1776, a 47-page case for breaking with Britain. He reached virtually every American patriot and helped inspire them to declare independence.

Paine defended the French Revolution in Rights of Man, and England convicted him for it. He later wrote against Christianity in The Age of Reason and publicly attacked George Washington. Paine came home to an America that shunned him, and only six mourners attended his funeral.

Book by Thomas Paine

  1. Common Sense
    Thomas Paine
    Common Sense
    1776

    A short pamphlet makes the case, in plain words, that the American colonies should break free from Britain. Published without the author's name, it calls King George III the Royal Brute of Britain.

    1h 29m reading time