The following shows over 100 political cartoons of Thomas Paine. Some positive and many negative, the cartoons, paintings, sketches and more are a vivid example of how Paine’s enemies in the British monarchy, with it’s ruthless propaganda machine, and some anti-democracy Americans too attacked Paine in print. Supporters also fought back with some of their own, as you will see. If you have found other political cartoons that should be included in our collection, please get in touch with us at info@thomaspaine.org . Click the images to enlarge.
1777 political cartoon titled “Poor old England endeavoring to reclaim his wicked American children ” shows a man representing England tries to hold on to five Americans on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. The American in dark pants is believed to be Paine – © The Trustees of the British Museum
1780’s anonymous cartoon titled “Le Fameux Empyrique Anglois American ” (The Famous English American Empiric/Quack) shows Paine, as medicine man, standing on a podium in front of an audience and promoting his bottle labeled “Union” to a crowd of on-lookers – American Philosophical Society
A 1790 political cartoon titled “The Repeal of the Test Act, a Vision ” by James Sayers. Paine appears under the foot of Lord Stanhope – National Portrait Gallery, UK
“Mr Burke’s pair of spectacles for short sighted politicians ” a 1791 etching by James Sayers Fox shows Edmund Burke targeting Paine assisted by Richard Brinsley Sheridan and a demon-riding Joseph Priestley, preparing to strike a symbol-laden tree with an ax inscribed “Rights of Man”. An open copy of Rights of Man sits among other books nearby – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Contrasted Opinions of Paine’s Pamphlet ” is a 1791 intaglio by Frederick George Byron. Eight public figures are depicted reading excerpts from Rights of Man and reacting to them. Charles James Fox, Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Mary Wollstonecraft are the three supporters of Paine’s writings while the rest deplore them – American Philosophical Society
“A Democrat ” is a 1791 intaglio by George Moutard Woodward. A French patriot, standing near a lamp-post hung with a noose and a decapitated head, Paine’s Rights of Man in his pocket. – American Philosophical Society
“Revolution Anniversary, or Patriotic Incantations ” is a 1791 intaglio by William Dent. Four figures dance around a cauldron before the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille. Chemist Joseph Priestly is holding Rights of Man and invoking the spirit of Thomas Paine – American Philosophical Society
“The Rights of Man: or Tommy Paine, the little American Taylor taking the measure of the Crown, for a new pair of Revolution Breeches ” a 1791 political cartoon by James Gillray. It depicts Paine as a “little American Taylor” who is taking the “measure of the Crown” to create a new pair of “Revolution Breeches” – National Portrait Gallery, UK
“Published by Order of the Society for Constitutional Information by D. A-s [Adams] Secrety ” a 1791 intaglio by James Sayers showing Daniel Adams, secretary for the Society for Constitutional Information, a political group in late 18th-century England, depicted as an ass braying “Rights of Man” and carrying panniers filled with Paine’s works. To the side, the British Lion holds open a book by Burke – National Portrait Gallery, UK
“Mad Tom, or the man of rights ” a 1791 etching of Paine sitting on a paper inscribed ‘Rights of Man’. The paper on his desk is inscribed: ‘Riots, treasons, Plots, conspiracies, civil war – Burk’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
A political cartoon titled “Tom Paine’s Nightly Pest ” created by James Gillray in 1792. Paine dreams of judicial wigs, a dungeon and a gibbet, and his coat pocket, lying across the bed, contains a copy of ‘Common Sense’ except that the alternative title of ‘Common Sense is or convincing Reasons for Britons turning Sans Culottes’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
A 1792 political cartoon titled “Loyalty against levelling ” by James Sayers. Paine sees the sign of the ‘Association for Preserving Liberty and Property against Levellers and Republicans’ while attempting to cut off the sign of a crown with the assistance of Frenchmen. In his pocket are works by Chemist Joseph Priestley and his own Rights of Man – National Portrait Gallery, UK
“A Sure Cure for all Paines ” or “The Rights of Man has got his Rights” is a 1792 political cartoon showing Paine being hung – American Philosophical Society
“Vices overlook’d in the New Proclamation ” is a 1792 political cartoon by James Gillray showing avarice illustrated by the King and Queen hugging bags of money, drunkenness by an inebriated Prince of Wales, gambling by the Duke of York at a gaming table, and debauchery by the Duke of Clarence and Mrs. Jordan embracing. A satire on the Royal Proclamation of 21 May, which was directed chiefly against Paine’s writings – American Philosophical Society
“What Wants Me ?” a 1792 political cartoon by an unknown artist lampoons Paine’s weaponry for revolution, including treachery, famine, and cruelty – Library of Congress
“Mad Tom’s first political essay on the rights of man ” a 1792 satirical etching by Isaac Cruikshank depicting Paine (‘Mad Tom’) as a radical conspirator, burning breeches while plotting revolution with Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Whitbread – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“The Unitarian arms ” a 1792 political cartoon attacking Joseph Priestly and Paine in the ‘nests’ of serpents alluding to ‘a late Regulation of the dissenters, under the Direction of Thomas Paine’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“The absent man ” a 1792 anonymous etching shows a man walking absent-mindedly into a shallow pond. A paper inscribed ‘Rights of Man’ projects from his pocket, showing that he is absorbed in political contemplation. On the left a fashionably dressed couple point at him with amusement – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“The balance of merit ” a 1792 anonymous graphic alluding to the Lord High Chancellor Edward Thurlow’s impending dismissal and the introduction of Charles James Fox’s Libel Bill. Paine’s Rights of Man is among papers – Lewis Walpole Library at Yale University
“Constitutional Danger, or, A sure way to stop the progress of Pain ” a 1792 satirical print by William Dent showing William Pitt the Younger firing a cannon mounted on the back of George III from which issue balls of ‘Reform’ that decapitate Paine and his supporters’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Pain sin and the devil ” a 1792 satirical print by James Aitken with the heading ‘Intercepted Correspondence from Satan to Citizen Paine.’ The monster has three heads including the Devil, Paine and Thomas Erskine. Paine is emitting a blast inscribed ‘Rights of Man’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“The Friends of the People ” a cartoon by Isaac Cruikshank from 1792 with English chemist Joseph Priestley seen seated at a table with Paine surrounded by incendiary items – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“A Revolution General in Full Dress ” a 1792 satirical print by William Dent is a caricature of a French Revolutionary soldier. He squints to read the Rights of Man, stamps upon a proclamation, and his musket has the head of Thomas Paine – Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
A political cartoon titled “John Bull bother’d:-or-the geese alarming the Capitol ” created by James Gillray in 1792. Print shows William Pitt the Younger, his knees bending with fear, with Bull (a British equivalent of Uncle Sam) clutching his arm. A pamphlet projects from each waistcoat-pocket including Paine’s ‘Rights of Man’ – National Portrait Gallery, UK
“Spirit of Democracy or the Rights of Man maintained” a cartoon by William Dent from 1792 shows Charles James Fox, as Oliver Cromwell, wave a whip and drive the allied Kings in the direction of a sign inscribed: “To Equality or Annihilation” while an allegorical America, as “Indian Queen” with liberty cap and pole, looks on – American Philosophical Society
“A peep into Bethlehem ” a cartoon by Thomas Rowlandson from 1793 shows John Wolcot and Edmund Burke seated with Margaret Nicholson behind. One of Burke’s feet are on the ‘Rights of Man’ and ‘Common Sense’ and Wolcot sits on ‘[Odes to Mr] Pain[e]’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
A 1793 political cartoon by William Grainger shows Paine standing in a forest scene, the centre of a group of six apes, to whom he holds out his ‘Rights of Man’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
A 1793 tin medal with Thomas Paine hanging from a tree holding a book, church to left. ‘Tommy’s Rights of Man’ is inscribed above the tree with Paine saying ‘I died for this damn’d book’. The reverse side says ‘May the tree of liberty exist to bear Tommy’s last friend’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
A 1793 medal with a draped bust of Thomas Paine bare head. The quotation “The Mountain in Labour” which in full is “The Mountains are in labour, an absurd mouse will be born”, a quote from Roman poet Horace, presumably refers to his ‘Age of Reason’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
A 1793 copper token on which is a depiction of Tom Paine hanging while a flag flies from the church in the background. The reverses found with this token read ‘May the tree of liberty exist to bear Tommy’s last friend’ or ‘The Wrongs of Man, January 21 1793’. – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“The Slough of Despond ” is a 1793 satirical print by James Gillray. The head and shoulders of Charles James Fox emerge from a pool of liquid mire weighed down by a bundle labeled with “French Gold, French Loyalty, French Daggers, And Crimes”. Before him floats an open book: ‘Gospel of Liberty by the four Evangelists: St Paine, St Price, St Priestly, St Petion – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“The End of Pain ” is a 1793 British political cartoon suggesting hanging as a solution to Paine’s political pamphleteering in England’s affairs – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“The patent wigg ” a 1793 political cartoon by Isaac Cruikshank is satire on the Whig party accusing them of being influenced by the republican doctrines of Paine. The captions reads in part “No fit you Zir, perhaps you got de Paine in you Head” – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Fashion before Ease – or – A good Constitution sacrificed for a Fantastick Form ” a 1793 political cartoon by James Gillray that lampoons Paine’s youth as a staymaking apprentice and his “ugly” attempts at reshaping governments – Library of Congress
“French Liberty ” a 1793 political cartoon by John Nixon. A negative representation of revolutionary France, with an allegorical figure of Liberty forcibly ejected from her temple while Paine, as a harlequin, floats above holding a pair of stays inscribed: “Rights of Man”. He is identified in the inscription below: “over the Temple the Author of the Rights of Man is supported on bubbles that are blown up by two Devils; this represents his work to be Froth & Airy Vapour: tending to delude & mislead a Nation” – American Philosophical Society
“Citizen Coupe tête in his misery ” a 1793 political cartoon by Thomas Ovenden shows a ragged and almost naked lower-class Parisian republican sitting in his room surrounded by his starving family. On the chimney-piece are two skulls; above it is a print of three figures: “Marat, Pain, Robertspi[erre]” – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Grinning through a horse collar, for a flitch of bacon ” a 1794 satirical print showing a scene at a country fair. Two men standing side by side on a form grimace horribly through horse-collars. Grinning yokels point at them. Behind are the walls of booths with inscriptions including ‘Tom Paine to be seen alive’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Theodora de Verdion ” a political cartoon (c.) 1794 with German-born bookseller shown stooping. A placard hangs outside the window: ‘Price 6 \ Imparti[al] Life of Paine.’ (A pamphlet, ‘Impartial Memoirs of the Life of Thomas Paine’, was published in 1793.) – © The Trustees of the British Museum
A painting of the trial of Louis XVI at the French National Convention by Daniël Vrijdag, circa 1793-1796. Thomas Paine sits in the gallery wearing a top hat with his hands nervously clasped, while Georges Danton looks on sitting beside him – Musée Carnavalet
“A worthy Alderman and his friends canvasing or strong recommendations for a membr of parliament ” a 1795 satirical political cartoon by Isaac Cruikshank. On the ground are books and papers including “Pains Rights of Man” – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Patriotic regeneration,-viz.-parliament reform’d, a la Francoise ” a 1795 satirical political cartoon by James Gillray. The interior of the House of Commons during the denunciation of William Pitt the Younger. The books on the table include “Rights of Man” – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“No Grumbling ” a 1795 political cartoon by Isaac Cruikshank shows John Bull (a British equivalent of Uncle Sam) under a heavy load of blocks. The king, in a red coat, helps add another block onto Bull’s head. From his pocket hangs a paper: ‘Age of Reason’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“The Rt Honble triumphant or dupes paying the piper ” an anonymous 1795 political cartoon and a satire on the events of 1795 in Ireland. Two boys are wearing gown and stand beside the central character, one holding a book: ‘Paine’s Works” – © The Trustees of the British Museum
A 1795 halfpenny metal alloy token with a pig trampling on two crowns and emblems of royalty with a banner with an inscribed words above ‘Pigs meat Published by T. Spence London’. On back is inscribed ‘Thomas Spence, Sir Thomas More, and Thomas Paine’ with the words around ‘Noted advocates for the rights of men’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“The Philosopher Libertas Mounted on his Equal, Setting Out to Conquer the World!” a 1795 satirical print shows a man, likely Paine, riding an ass whipped from behind by a Medusa-headed harpy with a burning torch saying “Ye Sons of France awake to Glory!”. The man carries a banner labelled ‘Decrees of the Rights of Man’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“The Contrast, or Things as they are ” a 1796 cartoon by James Gillray shows a bright and stable Old-England contrasted with a gloomy, corpse-filled New-France. From the gallows that stands at center dangles a sign inscribed “Paines Rights of Man” – American Philosophical Society
“A gentleman of moderate income making himself decent to dine out” a 1796 graphic from the Laurie & Whittle series of ‘Drolls’. In his meager attic lodgings, a man dresses as his land lady looks on. On the wall is a poster with a portrait of Thomas Paine and a partially torn sign with the words “Buggs distroy’d” – Lewis Walpole Library at Yale University
A 1796 silver token shows three men hanging on a gibbet, possibly Thomas Spence, Sir Thomas Moore and Thomas Paine with the inscription ‘Noted advocates for the rights of men’. The reverse says ‘A way to prevent knaves getting a trick’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Democratic levelling; – alliance a la françoise; – or – the union of the coronet and clyster-pipe ” a 1796 cartoon by James Gillray. The idea of an earl’s daughter marrying a man of such a lowly profession as surgeon-apothecary was lampooned as ridiculous. Whig leader Charles James Fox is reading from the ‘the gospel of revolutionary documents’ Paine’s ‘Rights of Man’. Above them is a painting entitled ‘Shrine of Equality’ – Wellcome Collection
American political cartoon “The Providential Detection ” depicts Thomas Jefferson attempting to destroy the Constitution supported by Satan, the writings of Paine, and French philosophers. Artist unknown and published sometime around 1797-1800. Courtesy of the American Antiquarian Society – Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
“The friend of humanity and the knife-grinder ” a 1797 political cartoon by James Gillray shows the ‘friend of humanity’ saying in part to the knife-grinder: “Have you not read the Rights of Man, by Tom Paine?” – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“New morality; -or- the promis’d installment of the high-priest of the theophilanthropes, with the homage of Leviathan and his suite ” a 1798 political cartoon by James Gillray shows many characters including, center bottom, a crocodile wearing a pair of stays, to indicate Paine, his jaws are wide, and he weeps; under his forelegs is a paper: ‘Paines Defence of the 18 Fructidor’. The poem below says in part: ‘All creeping creatures, venomous and low, “Paine, Williams, Godwin, HoIcoft, praise Le Paux!’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
This 1798 pro-Paine frontispiece from an unidentified pamphlet shows a circle enclosing emblems of liberty and reform surrounded by symbols of oppression. Liberty, holding her cap on a staff, stands under a tree whose fruits are: ‘Religious Liberty’, ‘Universal Suffrage’, and ‘Annual Parliaments’. Large volumes at her feet include ‘Rights of Man’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“A Sleepy Dose to the Jacobines – or, the Effects of Nelsons Victory ” a 1798 political cartoon by Isaac Cruikshank shows a group of Charles James Fox supporters with liberty caps pulled over their eyes. A row of portraits on the wall includes Thomas Paine. – American Philosophical Society .
“The funeral of the party ” is a 1798 print by Charles Williams satire on the plight of the Whig Party opposition, after Napoleon’s victorious Battle of the Nile. Reformist English clergyman John Horne Tooke is seen holding open a copy of Paine’s ‘Rights of Man’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“The tree of Liberty,-with, the Devil tempting John Bull ” a 1798 political cartoon by James Gillray with Bull (a British equivalent of Uncle Sam) tempted by a decayed oak-tree twined with a serpent. Among the main branches are Paine’s ‘Rights of Man’ and ‘Age of Reason’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“A mock escutcheon for a united, British republican college of health practitioners ” is a 1798 etching. The shield is supported by House of Lords radical Francis Russell and Thomas Paine wearing the Bonnet-rouge, a symbol of the French Revolution. Paine says: “So much for Ducal patriotism”. Beside the Duke are two books: ‘Age of Reason’ and ‘Sporting Calendar’; beside Paine, ‘Rights of Man’ and ‘Rights of Surgeons’ – Wellcome Collection
“The Effects of British Valour on the French Directory ” a 1798 political cartoon by George Moutard Wooodward shows the five Directors, dressed in official costume of red capes and plumed caps, contemplate suicide upon receiving news of a new British defeat. Among the papers scattered on the table and floor are a caricature of Charles James Fox and a paper inscribed “Tom Payne” – American Philosophical Society
“London corresponding society alarm’d, -vide guilty consciences” is a 1798 satirical print by James Gillray showing six brutal-looking men listening to their chairman read of the arrests of leading members of their reformist organization, the Corresponding Society in Manchester and London. Two bust portraits are on the wall of ‘Horne Tooke’ and ‘Tom Payne’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“We explain de Rights of Man to de Noblesse ” is a 1798 satirical etching by James Gillray that is part of a series called “Consequences of a Successful French Invasion .” The scene depicts the aftermath of a French invasion in the House of Lords, where nobles are being executed by a guillotine and a garrote – American Philosophical Society
“Shrine at St. Ann’s Hill ” a 1798 political cartoon by James Gillray showing Charles James Fox praying before an altar to French Jacobinism and hanging are two tablets including “Droit de l’Homme” (Rights of Man) – National Portrait Gallery, UK
“A Peep into the Retreat at Tinnehinch ” a 1799 political cartoon by Thomas Rowlandson alleging the individuals are engaged in Jacobinism and republicanism with a ‘Constitution of United Irishmen’ on the table. Paine’s portrait and a book titled “Pain’s Works” appear in the background – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“The Death Pain and Py ” is a political cartoon from the late 18th century which likely refers to Paine and Joseph Priestley, who were both figures associated with radical political and religious ideas. The cartoon depicts figures being executed or tortured using a breaking wheel – Wikimedia Commons
“I say, Jenky, this Paine’s book is all abuse! ” is a political cartoon from the late 18th century featuring text that criticizes Edmund Burke and praises Thomas Paine’s book Rights of Man. The text quotes Paine’s work, which dismisses Burke’s argument that the English Nation renounced its rights during the 1688 Revolution – Library of Congress
“Tommy Bull and Job. Jonat forever. those are the sensible Boys ” is a British political caricature from the late 18th century, likely by Isaac Cruikshank. Two figures, one in tattered clothes and a leather apron, discuss Thomas Paine and French revolutionaries. The text above the figures includes phrases like “no Sans Culottes, no Lawyers, no Stay-makers. no Quality” and “Damn Tom Paine and Damn the French” – American Philosophical Society
Anonymous French etching print circa 1800-1820 showing twelve individual portraits iincluding Marat, Marie Antoinette and Marmontel; Mozart, Necker and Nelson; Ney, the Duke of Orléans, and Paine; Pius VI, Proyart and Raynal – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Tha apples and the horse-turds; -or-Buonaparte among the golden pippins ” a 1800 political cartoon by James Gillray attacking Napoleon and the French Revolution. A dunghill is composed of inscribed fragments of dung including one that reads ‘Paines Rights of Man’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Mad Tom in a Rage ” published anonymously during the partisan US Presidential election of 1800 by Federalist Party supporters showing Paine, with the help of the devil, attempting to pull down the structure of the federal government – Metropolitan Museum of Art
“Preparing for the Grand Attack. – or – a Private Rehearsal of ‘The ci-devant Ministry in danger ‘” is a 1801 political cartoon by James Gillray. Sir Francis Burdett practices a dramatic reading of a speech written by John Horne Tooke on a scroll held by Charles James Fox and Richard Brinsley Sheridan. “Tom Paine” is among the busts seen in the background – American Philosophical Society
“Napoléon Bonaparte (‘The arms of France’) ” is an 1803 cartoon by James Gillray mocking the heraldry for Napoleon’s France. An ape and a tiger support an oval containing a guillotine. The ape is seated on volumes by Rousseau, Voltaire and a pamphlet by Paine – American Philosophical Society
“Thomas Paine ” a 1805 cartoon by James Godby shows a Paine bust, in profile to the left, with large nose and warts – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Posting to the election, – a scene on the road to Brentford ” a 1806 political cartoon by James Gillray showing a procession towards the election in Middlesex. Ardent Whig supporter William Bosville holds the arm of radical parliamentary proponent John Horne Tooke’s arm has a pamphlet: ‘Rights of Man by [Tom Paine]’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Triumphal Procession of Little Paul the Taylor upon his new Goose ” a 1806 political cartoon by James Gillray showing an electoral procession for James Paull, riding on Sir Francis Burdett, who is depicted as a goose. The figure of William Bosville, distributing coins to the crowd, is identified as representative of Thomas Paine – American Philosophical Society
“Look on This Picture, and on This ” a 1807 American intaglio. A portrait of Washington, atop a stack of books inscribed: “Order”, “Law” and “Religion” and flanked by an eagle and lion is contrasted with one of Jefferson accompanied by books, a snake and a grotesque alligator-like animal. The books under Jefferson’s portrait include his own Notes on Virginia and others inscribed: “Tom Paine” and “Voltaire” – American Philosophical Society
“Political mathematician’s, shaking the Broad Bottom’d hemispheres ” a 1807 political cartoon by James Gillray featuring Sir Francis Burdett, John Horne Tooke, William Cobbett and Thomas Paine. Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, England – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Between two stools my B– comes to the ground ” a 1808 political cartoon by William Charles showing Thomas Paine fallen between two stools inscribed: “Secy of State” and “Govt of the State” – American Philosophical Society
“Diversions of Purley ” a 1808 political cartoon by Samuel De Wilde is a slanderous attack on John Horne Tooke, a proponent of parliamentary reform, who stood trial for treason in 1794. Among the books on the floor is Paine’s ‘Age of Reason’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
A 1809 American print titled “Thomas Paine’s Recantation! ” or “Thomas Paine’s Last Moments ” portraying a fictional scene of Paine on his deathbed seated in a chair with a woman, identified as Mary Roscoe (or Mary Hindsdale), at his side. Paine did not recant his beliefs on his deathbed; the image is propaganda circulated by his political and religious opponents – Library of Congress
“Specimen of Equality & Fraternity” is a 1810’s print or caricature created by John Paget. Paine greets Joseph Priestley, who is backed by Nicolas de Bonneville, and offers him a copy of Rights of Man. The first two are each depicted with one human and one animal foot while Bonneville is portrayed as a demon – American Philosophical Society
A 1815 memorial engraving of Thomas Paine, with a smirk on his face, containing his dates of birth and death, with text reading “The World is my Country and to do Good my Religion”, figures of religion and law shield themselves from his image – The New York Public Library
A 1818 political cartoon titled “Modern reformers in council, — or –: Patriots regaling ” by George Humphrey and Robert Cruikshank is a British caricature of Napoleon. Paine’s portrait appears in the top left – Bodleian Libraries of Oxford University
“Imitation bank note ” published in 1819 by James Gillray. Along the left margin, at right angles to the text, is a strip-design: ‘Pain exemplified, Or The Age Of Reason’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Will Cobbett, with Thomas Paine’s bones” is an etching by James Sayers showing William Cobbett charicatured carrying the coffin of Thomas Paine on his back on his back. Image comes from the a collection of pamphlets, “1736–1829 Sammelbands including subjects on Famous Dwarfs, Pro-Tory, Anti-Jacobin, Anti-Thomas Paine Sentiment, etc.” – link
A 1819 political cartoon titled “The political champion turned resurrection man! ” by Isaac Cruikshank shows William Cobbett flying astride a demon, bearing the bones of Paine from America to Europe. A group bearing liberty caps and banners, including Wooler as “The Black Dwarf”, rejoices on one side and a group of Quakers on the other while Napoleon watches on.- © The Trustees of the British Museum
An 1819 political cartoon titled “The Age of Reason or the World Turned Topsyturvy Exemplefied in Tom Paines Works!! ” by Isaac Cruikshank. To a crucifix is tied a shaft, topped by a cap of Liberty, which supports a placard: ‘No Christianity!!!—No Religion!!!—No King!!!—No Lords! No Commons!—No Laws! Nothing but Tom Paine & Universal Suffrage!!!’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
An 1820s caricature of Paine being attacked by tiny devils and rat-like creatures, Cobbett carrying a coffin containing Paine’s bones and being attacked by rats and Isaac Hunt holding a reform flag. – Thomas Paine Society UK Bulletin (2010)
“Coriolanus addressing the plebeians ” a 1820 cartoon by George Cruikshank showing England’s George IV as legendary Roman leader Gnaeus Marcius Coriolanus. Figures in the crowd include one ‘Deist’ with a book, ‘Age of Reason’, under his feet and William Cobbett with Paine’s skull and bones – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Cobbett at Coventry ” a 1820 engraving by an unknown artist shows William Cobbett with Paine’s bones in a coffin on his back in the top left corner – American Philosophical Society
“The root of king’s evil ” a 1820 cartoon by George Cruikshank showing a clerical magistrate (right) seated and terrified at the apparition of ‘a Radical’. Among the names listed on the ‘Radical’s’ banner is ‘Tom Paine’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Radical Quacks giving a New Constitution to John Bull ” a 1821 cartoon by George Cruikshank shows Bull (a British equivalent of Uncle Sam) with his legs amputated and his peg-legs inscribed respectively ‘Universal Suffrage’ and ‘Religious Freedom’. Each rests on a book: ‘Rights of Man’ and ‘Age of Reason’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Billy the bully, and ranting Dan ” a 1825 satirical print by William Heath is part of a caricature magazine of four folio pages including this one with satan in the middle and William Cobbett, right, with a bag inscribed Tom Pain’s Bones – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Le Général Lafayette ” a 1825 symbolic painting by Jean Auguste Dubouloz shows Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette’s return trip to France on the frigate Brandywine after his farewell tour of America. According the the inscription, “The spirits of the defenders of the Américaine liberty are visiting him during his passage” including Washington, Franklin and Paine – Lafayette Digital Repository
“Billy the bully, and ranting Dan ” a 1830 political cartoon by Charles Jameson Grant shows the devil attempt to lure John Bull (a British equivalent of Uncle Sam) into a box trap papered with slogans, names and advertisements for The Age of Reason, Rights of Man and other publications – American Philosophical Society
“The emblematic figure of a man representing secularisation, technical innovation, educational reforms and liberal politics in the United Kingdom ” a 1830 lithograph. The man tramples on the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer kickis down an edifice representing the British constitution. In his hand he holds a volume of The Age of Reason with which he knocks down the steeple of an Anglican church. A temple of reason is inscribed with names including Paine – Wellcome Collection
“Staunch reformers ” a 1831 satirical print by John Dickinson with a dense crowd of rough-looking men at a London street-corner. One holds up a holds a placard on a pole topped by a red ‘liberty cap’ reading ‘Tom Paine’s Rights of Man—one penny!!!’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Little Johnny Rouse-Hell or the Ministers Last Shift ” a 1831 intaglio shows Earl John Russell thrust documents into a blazing hell-mouth, agape in the House of Commons. A few figures are seen inside it, including William Cobbett, peering though a gridiron, and Paine as a skeleton wearing a liberty cap – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Leap frog on a level, or Going headlong to the devil ” a 1831 satirical print by John Doyle. The far right pair are a bishop, prone, with radical publisher and writer Richard Carlile flying from his shoulders into the pit of hell. Papers fly from the latter’s pockets: ‘Carliles Tracts, Seeing is beliving, Paines Works’ – © The Trustees of the British Museum
“Untitled pencil sketch ” a 1832 sketch shows a man, possibly William Cobbett, showing a book inscribed “Age of Reason” to a group of listening figures. Papers and an inkwell stand on a table or lectern inscribed: “Paine’s Bones”. Two numbered volumes can be seen in an open bookcase behind him – American Philosophical Society .
“Henry Vincent ” a 1843 intaglio by printmaker George Dawe shows a portrait of Chartist Vincent standing near a desk on which a document inscribed “Universal Suffrage” hangs. Displayed behind him are election results from his 1841 Banbury, 1842 Ipswich and 1843 Tavistock campaigns. At his feet is a sheet inscribed “Rights of Man” – American Philosophical Society .
“The Spirit of ‘76 ” a 1845 painting by Tompkins H. Matteson shows a portrait of Chartist Vincent shows a soldier gallantly going off to war for family and country. The man of the family accepts a rifle from his elderly father and a sword from his mother. His distraught wife kneels before him and his eldest child holds his powder horn. His infant child sleeps in the arms of a nursemaid who holds a copy of the Declaration of Independence. Paine’s painting hanging on the wall was removed in later copies – New York Public Library .
The inside cover art from “The Theological Works of Thomas Paine” a 1845 book with a collection of Paine’s writings that examines traditional religion, Deism, reason, and individual freedom printed by J.P. Mendum in Boston. The central character holds open a book with the writing on it ‘The Age of Reason’ – New York Public Library .
“My Country Is The World ” a 1847 drawing by Julius Rubens Ames is an anti-slavery map with an unusual perspective centered on West Africa, which is in the light, and contrasting the U. S. and Europe in the dark. Below is an inscription from Thomas Paine: “My Country Is the World; My Religion is to do good” – Cornell University Library .
“Reason against unreason ” a 1882 illustration by Joseph Keppler and Adolph Schwarzmann shows the “Light of Reason”, containing bust portraits of “Johannes Kepler, I. Kant, Thomas Paine, Jefferson, B. de Spinoza, Franklin, Voltaire, E.H. Haeckel, Tyndall, Huxley, [and] Darwin”, beaming against a large umbrella labeled “Bigotry, Supernaturalism, [and] Fanaticism” – Library of Congress .
“The universal church of the future – from the present religious outlook ” a 1883 illustration by Joseph Keppler and Adolph Schwarzmann envisioning a future where religion and science were one. Men sit beneath a shelf of “Books of Religious Reference”. Portraits of Nicolaus Copernicus, Charles Darwin, Benedictus de Spinoza, and Thomas Paine hang above – Library of Congress
“Sheol “, the Hebrew word for the grave or the underworld, is a 1885 illustration by Joseph Keppler and Adolph Schwarzmann. According to the new version of the Old Testament, many respectable people who have been writhing in Hell will have to be transferred to the pleasant watering-place known as “Sheol”. Among those in the image ferried across the river by Charon (the Greek mythological ferryman of the dead) is Thomas Paine – Library of Congress .
A June 1st, 1885 Watson Heston illustration from the front page of the Truth Seeker magazine
A January 29th, 1887 Watson Heston illustration from the front page of the Truth Seeker magazine A September 15th, 1888 Watson Heston illustration from the front page of the Truth Seeker magazine
A September 15th, 1892 illustration titled “An apparition (or luminary) that always terrifies the clergy” by Watson Heston from the front page of the Truth Seeker magazine showing Paine’s head as a comet streaking into the scene from the top right to terrify a group of clergy hiding behind a pulpit reading “The Coward’s Refuge”.
A September 8, 1894 illustration titled “The Great Champion Of Liberty-Thomas Paine” by Watson Heston from the front page of the Truth Seeker magazine showing Paine holding a paper reading “Political and Religious Liberty” having slain a character labled “kingcraft” and driving away another labled “priestcraft”.
A 1899 cartoon from an illustrated alphabet book by Oliver Herford called ‘An alphabet of celebrities’ shows a character looking through a keyhole to Thomas Paine, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, and Edgar Allen Poe – Project Gutenberg
Panel from Diego Rivera’s 1933 mural depicting the key events that led up to the American Revolution. Important figures include Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Samuel Adams – Kheel Center
A 1938 postage stamp from Poland commemorating the 150th anniversary of the US Constitution shows Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Thomas Paine and George Washington with the Statue of Liberry in the background – National Postal Museum Collection
“What we obtain too cheaply we esteem too lightly” is an abstract 1952 gouache on paperboard painting by S. Neil Fujita – Smithsonian American Art Museum
A 1968 Prominent Americans Issue 40 cents postage stamp depicts Thomas Paine – National Postal Museum Collection
Established in 1990, the Thomas Paine Journalism Award was given annually by the Thomas Paine Historical Association to journalists who embodied Paine’s ideals – Westchester County Historical Society
A 1994 mural of Thomas Paine painted in by Julian Bell that stands in the passage that runs through the old Market Tower from Market Lane to Market Street in Lewes, UK. Paine lived in Lewes between 1768 to 1774 – Photo by Simon Carey
“Lewes pound ” a 2014 one pound banknote from the town of Lewes, UK shows a half length figure of Thomas Paine with the inscription, ‘We have it in our power to build the world anew’- The Lewes Pound
Age of Revolution’s Top Trumps cards ‘Thomas Paine’ card, illustrated by ‘Polyp’, from a free UK schools education project mimicking the famous children’s game, which examines a range of high-impact, influential figures from the era – The Age of Revolution
“Spock” by ‘Polyp’, from his 2022 verbatim graphic novel ‘PAINE: a fantastical visual biography’. The cheeky anachronistic surrealism references how often Paine sounds like Star Trek’s Mr Spock, how timeless and modern his ideas feel, and that the sci-fi character is in many ways a popular cultural continuation of the yearning for logic and rationality expressed in ‘The Age of Reason’ – PAINE: a fantastical visual biography
“Hebdo” by ‘Polyp’, from his 2022 verbatim graphic novel ‘PAINE: a fantastical visual biography’. This echoes the similarities between how Paine was threatend with the death penalty for blasphemous libel, because of the contents of ‘The Age of Reason’, and how the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists were punished with death for their blasphemy – PAINE: a fantastical visual biography
“Heaven” by ‘Polyp’, from his 2022 verbatim graphic novel ‘PAINE: a fantastical visual biography’ was drawn to create a positive ending to the otherwise grim final ‘death’ chapter of the book, Paine is seen crossing an otherworldly, infinite version of his iron bridge design, into his version of heaven. It reflects how he often cited a ‘numinous’ sense of astronomical / cosmic awe as a source of his deism, but allows for an atheist reading of his afterflife – as being the lasting positive influence he had on other significant historical figures, and on society as a whole – PAINE: a fantastical visual biography
“Effigy” by ‘Polyp’, from his 2022 verbatim graphic novel ‘PAINE: a fantastical visual biography’. This depicts one of the many effigies of Paine that were hanged and burnt up and down the UK in the 1790s, at ‘King & Country’ staged events. This event was held in Deansgate, Manchester, near the artist’s home, a major road that later hosted the largest ‘Peterloo massacre’ universal suffrage march converging on the city on 16th August 1819. Note that Wilberforce was famed for his anti-slavery campaigning, but otherwise a reactionary loyalist, warmly approved of these events – PAINE: a fantastical visual biography
“Devil” by ‘Polyp’, from his 2022 verbatim graphic novel ‘PAINE: a fantastical visual biography’ imagines a lost, hostile caricature of Paine that was described by Moncure Daniel Conway: “When Paine left Bordentown on March 1st 1803, driving past a pious hooting mob, and placards of the devil flying away with him, it was with hope of a happy reunion with old friends in more enlightened New York” – PAINE: a fantastical visual biography
!["Published by Order of the Society for Constitutional Information by D. A-s [Adams] Secrety" a 1791 intaglio by James Sayers showing Daniel Adams, secretary for the Society for Constitutional Information, a political group in late 18th-century England, depicted as an ass braying "Rights of Man" and carrying panniers filled with Paine's works. To the side, the British Lion holds open a book by Burke - National Portrait Gallery, UK](https://thomaspaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/paine-cartoon-7.jpg)
!["A peep into Bethlehem" a cartoon by Thomas Rowlandson from 1793 shows John Wolcot and Edmund Burke seated with Margaret Nicholson behind. One of Burke's feet are on the 'Rights of Man' and 'Common Sense' and Wolcot sits on '[Odes to Mr] Pain[e]' - © The Trustees of the British Museum](https://thomaspaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/A-peep-into-Bethlehem.jpg)
!["Citizen Coupe tête in his misery" a 1793 political cartoon by Thomas Ovenden shows a ragged and almost naked lower-class Parisian republican sitting in his room surrounded by his starving family. On the chimney-piece are two skulls; above it is a print of three figures: "Marat, Pain, Robertspi[erre]" - © The Trustees of the British Museum](https://thomaspaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/citizen-coupe-tete-in-his-misery.jpg)
!["Theodora de Verdion" a political cartoon (c.) 1794 with German-born bookseller shown stooping. A placard hangs outside the window: 'Price 6 \ Imparti[al] Life of Paine.' (A pamphlet, 'Impartial Memoirs of the Life of Thomas Paine', was published in 1793.) - © The Trustees of the British Museum](https://thomaspaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/paine-cartoon-1.jpg)
!["Posting to the election, - a scene on the road to Brentford" a 1806 political cartoon by James Gillray showing a procession towards the election in Middlesex. Ardent Whig supporter William Bosville holds the arm of radical parliamentary proponent John Horne Tooke's arm has a pamphlet: 'Rights of Man by [Tom Paine]' - © The Trustees of the British Museum](https://thomaspaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Posting-to-the-election-a-scene-on-the-road-to-Brentford.jpg)
![“Reason against unreason” a 1882 illustration by Joseph Keppler and Adolph Schwarzmann shows the “Light of Reason”, containing bust portraits of “Johannes Kepler, I. Kant, Thomas Paine, Jefferson, B. de Spinoza, Franklin, Voltaire, E.H. Haeckel, Tyndall, Huxley, [and] Darwin”, beaming against a large umbrella labeled “Bigotry, Supernaturalism, [and] Fanaticism” – Library of Congress](https://thomaspaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Reason-against-unreason.jpg)
