Thomas Paine

Came from England in 1774, and stayed only about 10 years in America. He was a common man, without wealth or family. He was considered a "loose cannon" by the gentry, but immediately became one of the most influential men in the Revolution. His pamphlets inspire common men, and political leaders alike.

He was the first to suggest a government run entirely by the common citizen, without any king or aristocracy. His ideas were more revolutionary than the war itself. It was Thomas Paine that influence the revolution to be more than freedom from Britain's taxes and King George's tyranny, but to be a truly philosphical and political revolution.

His words in one of his most widely circulated pamphlets, "The American Crisis," written December 19, 1776, was read by farmers and colonels, patriots and politicians all over the colonies, and added a sense of moral purpose to what had before simply been a colonial uprising:

"These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: --'Tis dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to set a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared, that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER," and if being bound in that manner is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious, for so unlimited a power can belong only to GOD."