Thomas Paine
English, 1737 - 1809
Thomas Paine (1737–1809) was an English-born political activist and author whose radical writings galvanized public support for the American Revolution. In January 1776, he published Common Sense, an immensely popular pamphlet written in clear, accessible language that forcefully argued for immediate independence from Great Britain. Paine rejected the institution of monarchy and challenged the legitimacy of hereditary rule, framing the colonial struggle as a battle for universal liberty. The publication shifted public opinion across the colonies, directly preparing the American people for the 1776 Declaration of Independence.