Thomas Paine, the son of a Quaker, was born in Thetford, England, in 1737. His mother, using the Bible as a textbook, taught him to read at home. Later he attended a private boys' school where he became an exceptionally good student.

When he was thirteen years old, his father started to teach him to become a staymaker. He found his work very boring and became eager to see more of the world. Finally he enlisted as a seaman on an English privateer, where he served about a year.

Back in England he worked for several years in different towns as a staymaker and afterwards became an excise officer. While engaged in excise work, he happened to meet Benjamin Franklin, who interested him in coming to America.

In 1774 Paine sailed for America, where he immediately became involved in the cause for freedom. Within a few months he wrote a small book, called Common Sense, which clearly spelled out the rights of the American colonies to become free and independent. His book caught on and helped to build up sentiment for signing the Declaration of Independence. Later he wrote a series of pamphlets, called The American Crisis, which promoted financial aid for American soldiers taking part in the Revolutionary War.

Following the war, Paine returned to England where he wrote The Rights of Man attacking the power of royal government. For writing this book he was forced to flee the country. From England he went to France, where he participated in the French Revolution and was put in prison for opposing acts of violence. While in prison he wrote a book called The Age of Reason based on the Bible, which aroused the ire of clergymen in both Europe and America.

In 1802 Paine returned to America, but his last years here were saddened because many old friends turned against him. Federalist leaders condemned him for having opposed some of their policies. Clergymen continued to attack him for having written his book on the Bible. He died in New York in 1809. Today historians rate him as one of the truly great founders of our country.

The author of this book, Elisabeth P. Myers, is a noted juvenile author and lecturer. She has written eight other volumes in the Childhood of Famous Americans Series, all depicting fascinating, authentic stories of persons who have helped to make America great. 

From the dust jacket