1. Thomas Paine: Architect of Cooperative Individualism A Presentation on the Life and Legacy of the 18 th Century’s Most Remarkable Champion of Liberty Edward J. Dodson, M.L.A. Director, School of Cooperative Individualism www.cooperativeindividualism.org

2. Who was Thomas Paine? Born, “Thomas Pain” in Thetford, England, in 1737 Father was a member of the Society of Friends and a staymaker by profession Mother was a member of the Church of England

3. Arrival in North America 1774 -- Leaves England, arriving in New York, then to Philadelphia in the fall 1774 – Calls on Richard Bache, Ben Franklin’s son- in-law 1775 – Obtains position as editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine

4. Paine Takes Sides 1775 – In conflict with his publisher, Paine leaves the Pennsylvania Magazine 1775 – He concludes the Colonials must separate from the British empire. In October, at the suggestion of Benjamin Rush, he begins to write a pamphlet in defense of the break with Britain Benjamin Rush

5. Common Sense Published in 1776 47 page pamphlet that denounced King George II as a royal brute Sold a half- million copies

6. Common Sense English radicals make sure their countrymen get to read Paine’s courageous pamphlet

7. Independence Declared, but Not Secured 1776 – Paine joins General Nathanael Greene as his aide-de- camp. He takes on the role of war correspondent 1776 – December – The first “crisis” paper is written and spread thru the colonies

8. Diplomacy 1781 – Paine accompanies John Laurens to France in an effort to secure French naval support and additional financial assistance John Laurens

9. The Rights of Man 1791 – Paine’s response to Burke is completed in February and a few hundred copies are printed and sold. British authorities threaten the publisher, and all unsold copies are recalled.

10. More Rights of Man Paine asks why people form societies, then answers the question himself

11. … and, some believe, God Paine’s final years are taken over in the defense of his “deist” spiritual beliefs 1804 – Writes an essay critical of missionaries who used the Bible to proselytize among the indigenous peoples of North America 1804 on – Writes many letters and essays published in deist journals