The Collected Works of Thomas Paine (eBook)

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was an influential English-born American political activist, philosopher, and revolutionary writer. His ideas and writings played a vital role in the American Revolution and the formation of American political ideology. Paine's career as a writer took off with the 1776 publication of 'Common Sense,' a powerful and persuasive pamphlet that argued for American independence from British rule and the establishment of a democratic republic. Articulating the sentiments of the common people, Paine's accessible and fiery prose laid the intellectual groundwork for the Declaration of Independence. Following this triumph, he continued to inspire revolutionary thought through works such as 'The Rights of Man' and 'The Age of Reason,' which championed Enlightenment principles, human rights, and secularism, and critiqued institutionalized religion and the monarchical system. His seminal collection, 'The Collected Works of Thomas Paine,' encompasses these texts along with his lesser-known essays and correspondence, offering a comprehensive overview of his literary and ideological contributions. Often hailed as the 'Father of the American Revolution', Paine's distinctive style—direct, forthright, and unpretentious—has immortalized him as a figure who not only captured the spirit of his age but also laid the foundation for future discourses on liberty, equality, and justice. Though his later years were met with criticism and political backlash, his contributions to literature and political thought continue to be celebrated and remain essential reading for those interested in the philosophical underpinnings of modern democracy.