Thomas Paine by John Oliver, revised 5/3/98

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In the late 1760's and early 1770's, Thomas Paine was a corset maker and also a minor bureaucrat in Britain. He worked for the English Customs Services, but after repeated demands for fair wages, he was fired. In 1774, he moved to Philadelphia. He was given a letter of introduction from Benjamin Franklin. Once in Philadelphia, Thomas Paine met with other influential Republicans like newspaper owner Benjamin Rush. Thomas Paine then began work on Common Sense. His widely read essay was first published in 1776, before the Declaration of Independence. Paine used both quotes from the Bible and also outright insults to viciously attack the British and their monarchical, tyrannical system of government. Paine's essay was the most effective in persuading the general public because he portrayed all the information necessary in a way that they could understand and respond to. Common Sense's twenty-five editions were soon on the shelves of hundreds of thousands of homes. His repetitive message was banged into each of their heads, "TIS TIME TO PART!"
--John Oliver, class III
--History Teacher: Mr. Denning
--Source: American History by James A. Henretta
W. Elliot Brownlee
David Brody
Susan Ware

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