Work Title: Thomas Paine: Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern Nations

Transatlantic radical of Common Sense, American Crisis, Rights of Man, Age of Reason.

ISBN 9780670035359; public‑domain older lives by Moncure D. Conway.

Thomas Paine

Early Life and Arrival in America

Thomas Paine was born on January 29, 1737, in Thetford, England. He worked as a corset maker, teacher, and excise officer before meeting Benjamin Franklin, who encouraged him to emigrate to America. Paine arrived in Philadelphia in 1774, bringing with him radical ideas about liberty and reform.

Voice of the Revolution

In 1776, Paine published Common Sense, a pamphlet that powerfully argued for American independence. Written in plain language for the common citizen, it galvanized public opinion and helped shift the colonies toward revolution. Its influence was immediate and profound, selling hundreds of thousands of copies.

Wartime Writings

During the Revolutionary War, Paine wrote The American Crisis, a series of essays that bolstered patriot morale. His famous opening line—“These are the times that try men’s souls”—became a rallying cry for perseverance. Paine’s words were read aloud to troops and widely circulated among civilians.

Later Political Engagements

After the war, Paine returned to Europe and became involved in the French Revolution. He wrote The Rights of Man in defense of republican government and The Age of Reason to promote deism and challenge organized religion. His radical views made him both celebrated and controversial.

Final Years and Legacy

Paine returned to America in 1802 but found himself marginalized due to his religious writings. He died on June 8, 1809, in New York. Though neglected in his final years, Paine’s legacy as a revolutionary thinker and champion of democratic ideals remains central to the American founding narrative.

Source:
McCabe, James D. The Centennial Book of American Biography: Embracing the Lives of the Great Men Whose Deeds Illustrate the First 100 Years of American Independence. Philadelphia and Chicago: P. W. Ziegler & Co., 1876. Internet Archive