Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine was a pivotal figure in the American Revolution and an influential political thinker whose writings sparked the flames of independence. Born in England in 1737, he emigrated to the American colonies in 1774, where he quickly became an advocate for liberty and social justice. His most famous works, such as "Common Sense" and "The American Crisis," provided compelling arguments for independence from British rule and rallied colonists to the cause of freedom. Paine's ability to articulate the aspirations of the common people made his ideas resonate deeply across the fledgling nation.

A passionate advocate for democracy and human rights, Paine didn't stop at American independence; he also wrote extensively about the principles of government and social reform. His later work, "The Rights of Man," defended the French Revolution and argued for universal human rights, solidifying his legacy as a champion of Enlightenment ideals. As you explore his thought-provoking works in this app, you’ll discover how Paine’s words continue to inspire questions about governance, liberty, and the role of the individual in society. Dive into his writings and see how they still echo in today’s discussions about rights and freedoms.

Common Sense

Read by Gary Gilberd


Thomas Paine



Common Sense, Paine's pro-independence monograph published anonymously on 10 January 1776, spread quickly among literate colonists. Within t…

The Age of Reason

Read by lukkystarr


Thomas Paine



The Age of Reason: Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology, a deistic treatise written by eighteenth-century British radical an…

Common Sense (version 2)

Read by Bob Neufeld


Thomas Paine



Thomas Paine has a claim to the title The Father of the American Revolution because of Common Sense, the pro-independence monograph pamphlet…

The Age of Reason (version 2)

Read by JoeD


Thomas Paine



The Age of Reason; Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology is a pamphlet, written by a British and American revolutionary Thoma…

Rights Of Man

Read by LibriVox Volunteers


Thomas Paine



A book in 2 Parts, published in 1791 and 1792. Part First denounces Edmund Burke’s defense of monarchy and his attacks against the French Re…

Common Sense (version 3)

Read by Phil Chenevert


Thomas Paine



Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–76 that inspired people in the Thirteen Colonies to declare and fight for indepen…

The American Crisis aka "The Crisis"

Read by LibriVox Volunteers


Thomas Paine



A 13 pamphlet series by 18th century Enlightenment philosopher/author Thomas Paine, published between 1776 to 1783 during and immediately fo…

The Age of Reason (version 3)

Read by Thomas A. Copeland


Thomas Paine



In these volumes, Paine demonstrates the anonymity of the books contained in both the Old and the New Testaments, the only certainties being…

Common Sense, version 4

Read by Mark Leder


Thomas Paine



In November 1774, Norfolk native Thomas Paine arrived in Philadelphia. He came under the recommendation of Benjamin Franklin, and indeed it…