Date of Birth: February 9, 1737
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Date of Death: June 8, 1809
Biography
Thomas Paine was an English-born political activist, philosopher, political theorist, and revolutionary. Born in Thetford, England, Paine emigrated to the American colonies in 1774, just in time to play a significant role in the American Revolution. His pamphlet, “Common Sense,” published in 1776, was a powerful and eloquent argument for American independence from British rule, and it had a profound impact on the public consciousness, helping to ignite the revolutionary spirit. Paine’s writings were not limited to the American Revolution; he also contributed significantly to the French Revolution. His work “Rights of Man,” published in 1791 and 1792, defended the French Revolution against its critics and laid out a vision for a more egalitarian society. Despite his significant contributions to revolutionary causes, Paine often found himself at odds with political leaders and faced imprisonment in France during the Reign of Terror. Paine continued to write on political and social issues throughout his life, including “The Age of Reason,” which argued for deism and criticized organized religion. He returned to the United States in 1802 but found that his radical ideas had made him many enemies. He died in 1809, largely unappreciated in his time, but has since been recognized as one of the foremost thinkers and writers of his era.
5 Interesting Facts about Thomas Paine
1. Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” sold approximately 500,000 copies in its first year of publication, a remarkable achievement given the population of the colonies at the time.
2. He was instrumental in the writing of the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776, which was one of the most democratic constitutions of its time.
3. Paine was imprisoned in France during the Reign of Terror but was released due to the intervention of future U.S. President James Monroe.
4. Despite his significant contributions to American independence, Paine died largely unrecognized and in poverty.
5. Paine’s work “The Age of Reason” was highly controversial and led to widespread backlash due to its criticism of organized religion.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Thomas Paine
1. “These are the times that try men’s souls.”
2. “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”
3. “My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.”
4. “Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.”
5. “To argue with a man who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Thomas Paine did not achieve significant wealth during his lifetime. In fact, he died in relative poverty.
Children
Thomas Paine did not have any known children.
Relevant Links
1. [Biography on History.com](https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/thomas-paine
2. [Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Paine
3. [Thomas Paine on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine
4. [Common Sense text](https://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/
5. [The Age of Reason text](https://www.ushistory.org/paine/reason/