The Life of Thomas Paine

By Brandi.kennedy
  • He was born

    He was born

    Born 29 January in Thetford, England.
  • Leaves school

    Leaves school

    At the age of 12 to become an apprentices to his father.
  • Gets married

    Gets married

    Marries Mary Lambert on 27 September, she dies within the year.

  • Gets a job

    Works as a excise (tax) officer in England.
  • Gets married

    Gets married

    Marries Elizabeth Ollive on 26 March.
  • Period: to

    The Case of the Officers of Excise published

    Meets Benjamin Franklin, emigrates to England; legally separates from wife Elizabeth
  • African Slavery in America published

    African Slavery in America published

    African Slavery in America published; co-editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine; helps found one of the first abolitionist societies.
  • Common Sense published

    Common Sense published

    Common Sense published, Paine donates most of the proceeds to the revolutionary army; begins The Crisis.

  • Appointed Seceraty

    Appointed Secretary of the Committee of Foreign Affairs in Congress.
  • Book published

    Book published

    Public Good published.
  • Travels

    Travels

    Travels to France to raise funds for the army.
  • Travels

    Travels

    Leaves for England.
  • Travels back to france

    Travels back to france

    Visits France to see new regime - spends next several years travelling back and forth between England and France.
  • Starts a movement

    Starts a movement

    Begins The Rights of Man.
  • Covicted

    Covicted

    Paine convicted of treason and banished from England; elected to the National Convention in France.
  • Imprisoned

    Imprisoned

    Imprisoned in France for voting against the execution of Louis XVI.
  • Released from prison

    Released from prison

    Released from prison with the help of James Madison; begins The Age of Reason.