Thomas Paine

Paine, Thomas (1737–1809), English-born writer and radical, a leading figure of the American Revolution. His highly influential pamphlet Common Sense (1776) urged the American colonies to declare independence. His pamphlet series The Crisis (1776–83) inspired the Continental Army. After returning to England, he wrote The Rights of Man (1791–92), a defense of the French Revolution and of republicanism. Forced to flee to France, he was elected to the National Convention and was later imprisoned (1793–94) during the Reign of Terror. His controversially deistic The Age of Reason (1794–95) alienated much of his U.S. support. He returned there in 1802 and died in obscurity.