The Man Whose Writings
Sparked the American Revolution
“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the
triumph.”
“My mind is my own church.”
“Lead, follow, or get out of the way.”
“These are the times that try men’s souls.”
 Born January 29, 1737
 Flunked out of school at the age of 12
 Went to work for his father, a corset maker
 At 19 years old, went to sea
 In 1768 became a tax collector
 Fired twice from tax collecting
 Married twice
 Did not have any children
 In 1772, Thomas Paine published his first work entitled
“The Case of the Officers of Excise”
 In October of 1774, by accident, Thomas met Benjamin
Franklin who was instrumental in helping Thomas
Paine emigrate to America.
 Settles in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 Works for The Pennsylvania Magazine
 January 10 , 1776 publishes Common Sense
 Pamphlet sparked the case for independence from
England
 Published anonymously
 Sold more than 500,000 copies
 Thomas Paine established himself as a revolutionary
propagandist
“Society is every state is a blessing, but government, even
in its best state, is but a necessary evil.”
“I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation to show a
single advantage that this continent can reap, by being
connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge, not a
single advantage is derived. Our corn will fetch its price in
any market in Europe, and our imported goods much be
paid for, buy them where we will…..Whenever a war breaks
out between England and any foreign power, the trade of
America goes to ruin, because of her connection with
Britain….Every ting that is right or natural plead for
separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of
nature cries, ‘TIS TIME TO PART.’”
 Thomas traveled with the Continental Army
 Failed as a soldier
 11 months later, published his second American
pamphlet, The American Crisis
 Inspired the army
 Extremely popular tract
 Contained some of the most memorable lines every
written
“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer
soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis shrink
from the service of his country; but he that stands it now,
deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have
this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the
more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap,
we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives every
ting its value. Heaven know how to put proper price
upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so
celestial an article as freedom should not be highly
rated.”
 General George Washington found this publication so
inspirational that he ordered it to be read to his troops.
 Returned to England
 Invented the smokeless candle
 Invented the suspension bridge
 1791-1792 Thomas Paine wrote another publication
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entitled The Rights of Man
Became an outlaw in England
Fled to France
In 1793 was imprisoned in France for not endorsing the
execution of Louis XVI
During this time, Thomas wrote his most famous
work, The Age of Reason
 In 1794, James Monroe helped Thomas avoid execution
 In 1802 he returned to America on an invitation from
Thomas Jefferson
 Upon returning, Thomas discovered his contributions
to the American Revolution had been forgotten
 Abandoned by the public as well as friends
 Died on June 8, 1809 at the age of 72
 Obituary stated: “He had lived long, did some good
and much harm”
 Only six people attended his funeral
 10 years after his death, William Cobbett dug up
Thomas Paine’s bones and traveled with them back to
England
 No one know where his remains are
“Without the pen of the author of Common Sense the
sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.”