Our collection of articles, records and reviews about Thomas Paine Historiography.
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.
At a time when men and women are fighting to realize that type of world it would be well to read again the words of Thomas Paine who wrote so much and so well to build the heritage of freedom we are battling to preserve and extend.
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 »
THIS very readable work is in a way a memorial to the late George Spater, a member of the Thomas Paine Society who wrote a very fine two volume biography of William Cobbett which was published in 1982.
BOOK REVIEW: Citizen Of The World, Essays On Thomas Paine Read Post »
Thus the weight of the evidence that we have at the moment suggests quite strongly, if not conclusively, that the “A Forester” articles of 1772-3, as well as those of 1787-9, were written by the Reverend Richard Michell, and that they were not written by Thomas Paine.
Once the War of Independence was ended no other English emigrant who had fought in the War, to my knowledge, was accused of being a “traitor” to his country of origin. But Paine was a dangerous political writer and the ‘traitor” myth is maintained.
Thomas “Clio” Rickman (1761-1834) was a prominent radical reformer, bookseller and propagandist. He was a close friend of Thomas Paine who subscribed to his book of poems and wrote the first friendly life of him.
From time to time long forgotten but interesting bibliographical material relative to Thomas Paine comes to light. Such material may offer us nothing new about Paine himself but it often serves to indicate the high regard for his memory his supporters had. One such item recently came my way
Not a single fact has ever been adduced incompatible with Paine’s authorship of the Junius letters, and it is equally certain that he drafted the Declaration of Independence.
DUMAS’ hero, Dr. Gilbert (in “Ange Pitou”), an idealization of Paine, interprets his hopes and horrors on the opening of the fateful year 1793. Dr. Gilbert’s pamphlets helped to found liberty in the New World, but sees that it may prove the germ of total ruin to the Old World.
Immediately on the death of Mr. Paine, Cheetham, his political enemy, began to collect materials for his life, which was published the same year. We have already noticed the manner in which he collected those materials.
