Thomas Paine, political writer (1737-1809):
This remarkable political philosopher and
freethinker influenced the Founding Fathers of the American Revolution
and the French Revolution. Paine condemned the practice of slavery
in his "African Slavery in America" and published his most
famous work, "Common
Sense" in 1776 just six months before the issuance of the
Declaration of Independence. He also wrote "Rights
of Man," "Age
of Reason," and "The
American Crisis."
Recommended Reading:
Age of Reason