Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was an American author and philosopher who was born in Thetford, Norfolk, England, and immigrated to America 1774. Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in the immigration of Thomas Paine and subsequently he settled in Philadelphia. Following the publication of his landmark pamphlet on independence Common Sense in 1776, he was appointed to secretary of the committee on foreign affairs by Congress. After holding the position for one year, he was appointed clerk of the Pennsylvania legislature. He was awarded a confiscated farm in New Rochelle New York in 1785. Two years later Thomas Paine returned to England and, in 1792, published his famous book The Rights of Man as an argument against Edmund Burke's book on the French Revolution. Following publication, The Rights of Man sold over 1 and a half million copies in England. Around the time The Rights of Man was published, Thomas Paine was elected as the deputy to the National Convention by the department of Pas de Calais. This resulted in his travel to Paris where he voted in favor of the Girondists. Having angered the Robespierre faction he was subsequently imprisoned in 1794. Shortly before imprisonment, Thomas Paine began writing his famous book supporting deism The Age of Reason. This controversial book which argues against Christianity and atheism, alienated Thomas Paine from many former associates, and was not completed until 1807. Following his release from prison he was again appointed the deputy of the National Convention until 1802 when he returned to America. Following his death, a radical named William Cobbett stole the remains of Thomas Paine and took them to England. The remains were in William Cobbett's possession until his death. Today the exact whereabouts of Thomas Paine's remains is a mystery.



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