Though history has sometimes overlooked Thomas Paine, calling him “the forgotten founder,” his contributions remain central to the American story. His writings unified our fledgling nation, challenged tyranny, and championed the ideals of liberty and equality. 

We named our daily news summary — The Paine Report to honor Thomas Paine’s legacy. His writings and commitment to the truth powerfully remind us of the significance and enduring impact of clear, fearless communication in the pursuit of justice.  

Thomas Paine, born in Norfolk, England, in 1737, was a revolutionary thinker and writer whose work played a pivotal role in the American and global fight for freedom and self-governance. 

Emigrating to America in 1774 with Benjamin Franklin’s encouragement, Paine brought with him a passion for justice and a talent for persuasive writing. Shortly after arriving in Philadelphia, he began using his pen to challenge established systems of power and advocate for revolutionary ideals.

In 1776, Paine published Common Sense, a pamphlet that profoundly influenced the American colonies’ decision to declare independence from Britain. Writing in plain, accessible language, Paine argued that representational government was superior to monarchy and hereditary rule. He passionately claimed that America needed to sever ties with England to survive and prosper as a free nation, trading openly with other countries like France and Spain. 

Common Sense sold over 150,000 copies in its first year—a remarkable feat for the time—and its ideas swept through the colonies, uniting Americans around the revolutionary cause. As John Adams later remarked, “Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.”

During the brutal winter of 1776, Paine continued to inspire revolutionaries with The American Crisis, a series of pamphlets that famously opened with the line, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” General George Washington had these writings read aloud to his troops, boosting morale during one of the darkest periods of the Revolutionary War.