Thomas Paine. Born in England in 1737 and having immigrated to the American colonies in 1774 at the age of 37, Thomas Paine tirelessly broadcasted the merits of reason and radicalism in a series of innovative pamphlets that quickly became popular. In the American colonies, Paine made his name with his pamphlet Common Sense which argued for independence from the British empire and republicanism as the only rational means of government. Relishing the freedom of the colonies, Paine advocated for personal liberties, property rights, an end to the slave trade, a separation of religion and state, and rationalism. Though never learning French, he was deeply involved in the French Revolution and was granted honorary French citizenship. He returned to the United States in 1802 and died in 1809.
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:11:02 +0000
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