Thomas Paine
These Are the Times That Try Men’s Souls: Words That Saved the Revolution
With those unforgettable words, Thomas Paine lit a fire in the hearts of patriots during one of the darkest moments of the American Revolution. First published on December 19, 1776, The American Crisis was more than just an essay – it was a rallying cry that...
Thomas Paine: A Lifetime of Radicalism
Although he has been called “The Father of the American Revolution,” Thomas Paine was perhaps the most unlikely man in the world to carry the torch of American independence. An Englishman who was once employed by the same king he grew to despise, Paine had been a...
Thomas Paine Played Dodgeball With Death
The are many interesting facets of Thomas Paine’s life, but one that has often gone unmentioned by many other scholars was his capacity to elude an early death. On no less than seven occasions, the eminent writer’s life was almost cut short. On one occasion, fate...
Today in History: Thomas Paine Publishes First Chapter of “The American Crisis”
On this date in 1776, Thomas Paine published the first chapter of The American Crisis. As historian Robert Dennehy put it, the essays helped “recharge the American Revolution.” “These are the times that try men’s souls…” It is the week of...