Author Archive

Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine (1737–1809) was an English-born political philosopher and revolutionary writer whose pamphlets galvanized popular support for American independence. His major works— Common Sense (1776), which argued for outright colonial rebellion, and The American Crisis (1776–1783), a series of morale-boosting essays—established him as a master of accessible, impassioned political rhetoric. Later, The Rights of Man (1791–1792) championed popular sovereignty against Burke’s conservatism, while The Age of Reason (1794–1795) advanced a deistic critique of organized religion, cementing his legacy as a radical Enlightenment thinker.

22 summaries in the archive

Biography Letter to George Washington – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

This volume is a collected edition of Thomas Paine's writings, encompassing his theological, miscellaneous, and poetical works.

44 min read

History Letter to the People of France – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

The pamphlet is grounded in Paine's personal experience as a participant in the American Revolution, which he uses…

14 min read

Economics The Decline and Fall of the English System of Finance – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

The work covers the period from 1774 to roughly 1778, with some forward references to the ratification of…

14 min read

History To the Citizens of Pennsylvania on the Proposal for Calling a Convention – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

This book presents an editorial introduction to and historical analysis of Thomas Paine's pamphlet, "To the Citizens of…

17 min read

Biography Letter to the Earl of Shelburne – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

Paine's pamphlet is a pointed examination and rebuttal of Shelburne's stated position on American independence.

16 min read

History of Philosophy Letter to Camille Jordan – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

The work is organized as an alphabetically arranged series of entries, each detailing the life, career, and religious…

18 min read

History Dissertation on First Principles of Government – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

The work is a systematic examination of the foundational principles that ought to govern human society, contrasting two…

24 min read

Cultural History On the Origin of Free-Masonry – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

The essay argues that Freemasonry did not originate as a Christian institution, but descended from the mystery religions…

5 min read

History A Letter to the English People on the Invasion of England – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

The work is an editorial biography tracing Paine's life from his birth in England through his involvement in…

21 min read

Economics Prospects on the War and Paper Currency – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

The pamphlet was originally written in 1787, during one of Prime Minister Pitt's armaments, specifically the one directed…

13 min read

History of Philosophy Rights of Man – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

Rights of Man is a political treatise written by Thomas Paine, addressed initially to George Washington, whom Paine…

51 min read

Deism The Age of Reason – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

The Age of Reason is a philosophical and theological treatise by Thomas Paine, written during the turbulent period…

40 min read

Economics Agrarian Justice – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

Agrarian Justice is a political and economic tract written by Thomas Paine during the winter of 1795–96.

12 min read

History of Philosophy A Vindication of the Divine Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

The work is structured as an alphabetical reference, covering a vast array of biographical, geographical, historical, and mythological…

23 min read

History Prospects on the Rubicon – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine

The work is framed as a sober examination of the nation's political and financial state at a moment…

12 min read