Tom Paine

The Life of a Revolutionary
By Harry Harmer

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) thrust himself into world history on the eve of his 39th birthday in January 1776, rousing the North American Colonies to break with Britain. His hope was an independent republic that would act as a democratic beacon to old Europe. Born in Thetford, England, Tom Paine was an author, political theorist, and humanitarian. He will be best remembered for being influental in two revolutions, the American and the French.

Always, to admirers and enemies alike, Tom Paine is perhaps the most unknown figure of the American Revolution. His optimism, however, still rings loudly: ‘We have it in our power to begin the world over again.’

‘There is something clean, sober and useful in arranging the chronological facts of a life, as they may be ascertained, and eschewing amateur psychoanalysis and other such sordid speculation.’
Steven Poole, The Guardian

Harry Harmer has a PhD in History from the London School of Economics. His publications include The Longman Companion to Slavery, Emancipation and Civil Rights, The Longman Companion to the Labour Party, and Rosa Luxemburg (Haus 2008)