Thomas Paine
Anglo-American revolutionary pamphleteer whose Common Sense and The Rights of Man are the most effective political pamphlets in the English language. Common Sense made the case for American independence; The Rights of Man countered Burke and became the bible of radical democracy. He was tried for sedition in England.
Works
- Common SenseRevolutionary pamphlet arguing independence from British monarchy and tyranny
- The Rights of ManPolitical philosophy defending natural rights against monarchical authority
- The Age of ReasonDeist philosophy arguing reason over organized religion and scriptural belief
- Agrarian JusticePolitical economy proposal for redistributive land taxation and welfare
- Letter to George WashingtonLetter to Washington criticizing war strategy and military leadership
- The American CrisisRevolutionary writings rallying American colonists during independence struggle