Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine Biography

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was an influential political thinker and writer during the American Revolution and the French Revolution. He was born in Thetford, England and worked as a corset maker before becoming a tax collector. He moved to America in 1774, where he quickly became involved in the movement for independence. In 1776, he published "Common Sense," a powerful and influential pamphlet that argued for American independence from Great Britain. He also wrote "The Rights of Man" (1791) and "The Age of Reason" (1794) which advocated for the rights of the common people, and criticized organized religion respectively. Paine also served in various positions during the French Revolution, but his radical views led to his arrest and imprisonment. After his release, he returned to America where he was largely ignored by society, and died in poverty in 1809. Paine's writings continue to be read and studied today for their contributions to political thought and the ideas of the Enlightenment.

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