Thomas Paine
Thomas PaineThomas Paine
Thomas Paine has been called the most controversial leader of the American Revolution. His contributions to society and his country through his writing is still felt today. From his pamphlets and writings to his political career, Thomas Paine has taken a stand for what he believed in and America has benefited from it. Thomas was not just dedicated to America but also helped England and France. His greatest contributions were through his writings. Thomas Paine was one of the greatest leaders in American history.
Thomas Paine accomplished a lot over the course of his lifetime. He was born on January 29, 1737 at Thetford, Norfolk in England. He was the son of a Quaker family. Throughout his life, he went to and from England, America, and France. He took part in multiple Revolutions and governments. He died an unhappy man in New York City on June 8, 1809. He was not to be recognized as an American revolutionary hero until years after his death(Prentice Hall 128).
Growing up as the son of a Quaker, he had a simple life. He left school when he was thirteen and tried his
hand as a teacher, corset maker, sailor, and grocer, though all unsuccessful(Prentice Hall 128). Thomas met Benjamin Franklin in 1774 in London, England, and was advised to come to America. Ben helped him by giving him letters of recommendation(USA: Thomas Paine). This began his career in America.
When he came to America, his journalism career took off. He started over as a publicist in Philadelphia and published African Slavery in America, criticizing slavery in America. He also became contributing editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine. He sensed and agreed with the colonies’ spirit of rebellion from England and wrote his ideas of American Independence in his pamphlet Common Sense, published in January, 1776. He believed that America would break away from England eventually (USA: Thomas Paine).
Thomas’s first great writing was Common Sense, in which he wrote about his thought of America’s view of England. Because it sold so well, it is evident of his influence of the Declaration of Independence(USA: Thomas Paine). By writing Common Sense, Paine helped to speed up the process to create the Declaration of Independence(Prentice Hall 128) There were a lot of loyalist reactions to Common Sense. It had a great influence on the American public.
Paine continued his work even after the Declaration of Independence. He tried to invent a smokeless candle. He also tried to come up with an iron bridge. In 1787, he went around France and England seeking financial support for his iron bridge, but then came back to be a propagandist in the 1790’s(Thomas Paine, 1737-1809).
He spent a lot of time...
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