In 1964, there was political opposition to the erection of Paine’s statue outside King’s House in Thetford, UK which was a gift from the American Thomas Paine Foundation. The controversy led to the foundation of the Thomas Paine Society UK with a goal of promoting a better understanding of the man and his work. The Thomas Paine Society UK became the premier Thomas Paine historical society in the UK. In 2025, the Thomas Paine National Historical Association merged with the Thomas Paine Society UK to form the internationally-focused Thomas Paine Historical Association. This is the archive of the Thomas Paine Society UK Bulletin from 1965 to 2013.
This is unquestionably an excellent biography of the great radical, but it is far from being the definitive biography. In fact I do not think the author had in mind writing such a biography, rather it is, as its name indicates, a book which lays emphasis on Paine’s political ideas and influence.
It is not my attention to review the poetry, this has been around for many years and Thomas Paine has been commented upon by many others, rather it is to commend this book to TPS members who will find much in it of Paine interest.
It is refreshing to read an essay about Thomas Paine which not only places him in his historical context but also emphasises his relevance oday. This essay is part of a book which was compiled in 1991, when the fall of the Berlin Wall had just come down.
BOOK REVIEW: Thomas Paine – At the Limits of Bourgeois Radicalism Read Post »
Paine, Scripture, and Authority is an important work, particularly as it is the first book for many years to focus on The Age of Reason. Yet for all its value it pays too much attention to what the authors see as Paine’s personal motivation
Although today many eminent Christians, the recently retired bishop of Durham being a good example, express opinions regarding the bible similar, if not going beyond, those of Paine, few, if any, express their very real debt to him for instituting a debate which was ultimately to give them the freedom to express their opinions.
It is a bit of a paradox that some atheists are the most ardent admirers of Thomas Paine and his many faceted life, yet he made it abundantly clear that he believed in one god and that Quakerism left an indelible mark on him in many ways.
Standing at the entrance to Lympstone Harbour on the river Exe in Devon was a pillar of red sandstone. It was known as Darling Rock, or, by older inhabitants, as Tom Paine’s Field. The effects of wind, rain and tides have eroded the pillar.
Today Thomas Paine would be in line with the majority of society that bears his name – secularists and atheists. Thomas has been described as the most valuable Englishman ever. The writings of Arthur Findlay, who must be a candidate for the title of the most valuable Scotsman ever.
Where Would Thomas Paine Stand Now On Republicanism, Atheism And Survival After Death? Read Post »
In compiling a bibliography of writings on Paine, one is confronted with the problem of not where to begin, but where to stop. The words of John Adams remain true: “I know not whether any Man in the World has more influence on its inhabitants or affairs…than Tom Paine.”
A Bibliography Of Writings On Thomas Paine, 1975-1993 Read Post »
The first edition of Thomas Paine’s controversial work The Age of Reason has long been a bibliographical enigma. There are many contenders for priority, published in French or English and dated either 1794 of “1 An II” of the French Revolutionary Calendar.
The First Appearance Of Thomas Paine’s The Age Of Reason Read Post »
On 6 March, 1812, Daniel Isaac Eaton, the so-called “infidel bookseller”, stood before the Court of King’s Bench charged with publishing what was known as the third part of Thomas Paine’s, The Age of Reason – a work the Attorney-General saw as “a libel”.
Daniel Isaac Eaton’s Prosecution For The Third Part Of The Age Of Reason Read Post »
This paperback should prompt many to re-think their attitudes towards weaker non-human species generally. It is fitting to conclude with a quotation from Paine’s, The Age of Reason: ‘The moral duty of man consists in imitating the moral goodness of God, manifested in the creation towards all his creatures”
