Passionate writer Thomas Paine (1737–1809) was born in England. In 1774, encouraged by Benjamin Franklin, he sailed to Philadelphia and soon published the historic 47‑page pamphlet Common Sense, urging colonial independence from Great Britain.

“A government of our own is a natural right,” he wrote. “The sun never shined on a cause more just.” Common Sense was an immediate hit, spreading through the colonies and stirring hearts toward liberty.

When the revolution broke out, Paine enlisted. He began The American Crisis — “These are the times that try men’s souls” — to encourage a weary people to stand fast for freedom.

Later he moved to France and published The Rights of Man (1791), defending the Revolution and opposing monarchy. In Paris he wrote The Age of Reason (1793), was imprisoned, and eventually freed with help from James Madison before returning to America in 1802.

Paine aimed for plain speech. He promised to “avoid every literary ornament and put [ideas] in language as plain as the alphabet.” With his whole heart and soul, he gave voice to a new nation’s courage.