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[[image:Thomaspaine.jpeg|200px|thumb|Engraving of Thomas Paine]]

[[image:Thomaspaine.jpeg|200px|thumb|Engraving of Thomas Paine]]

'''Tom Paine''' (Thomas Paine, 1737-1809) was a political and religious writer born in Thetford, [[England]], who came to America in 1774.  His pamphlet "Common Sense" in 1776 was a major cause of the American decision to [[Declaration of Independence|declare independence]] in July 1776. It explained [[republicanism]] and the evils of having a king in very clear language. Selling over 100,000 copies and read aloud in taverns and churches, it reached most of the attentive public in all 13 colonies.   

'''Thomas Paine''' (1737-1809) was a political and religious writer born in Thetford, [[England]], who came to America in 1774.  His pamphlet "Common Sense" in 1776 was a major cause of the American decision to [[Declaration of Independence|declare independence]] in July 1776. It explained [[republicanism]] and the evils of having a king in very clear language. Selling over 100,000 copies and read aloud in taverns and churches, it reached most of the attentive public in all 13 colonies.