Thomas Paine

The Rights of Man

Political philosophy defending natural rights against monarchical authority

About the author

Thomas Paine
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.

More by Thomas Paine