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[[image:Thomaspaine.jpeg|200px|thumb|Engraving of Thomas Paine]]
[[image:Thomaspaine.jpeg|200px|thumb|Engraving of Thomas 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''' (Thetford, England, 1737 - New York City, 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.
Late in 1776 when the war was going poorly for the Patriots, General [[George Washington]] ordered that Paine’s inspirational "American Crisis" (1776) be read to his troops before the Battle of Trenton. Paine supported the Revolution, although he believed it did not go far enough. He briefly lived in the rebelling colonies before returning to Europe in time to take part in the [[French Revolution]]. His later writings promoted [[Deism]] and were highly controversial.
Late in 1776 when the war was going poorly for the Patriots, General [[George Washington]] ordered that Paine’s inspirational "American Crisis" (1776) be read to his troops before the Battle of Trenton. Paine supported the Revolution, although he believed it did not go far enough. He briefly lived in the rebelling colonies before returning to Europe in time to take part in the [[French Revolution]].
<blockquote>
Paine remained in France until 1802 when he returned to America on an invitation from [[Thomas Jefferson]]. Paine discovered that his contributions to the American Revolution had been all but eradicated due to his religious views. Derided by the public and abandoned by his friends, he died on June 8, 1809 at the age of 72 in New York City. <ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/paine/ Thomas Paine.] </ref>
</blockquote>
His later writings promoted [[Deism]] and were highly controversial.
==Quotes==
==Quotes==