Paine, Thomas (1737-1809) An Englishman who came to America in 1774, he
was a political philosopher who promoted change through revolution
rather than reform. Paine is most renowned for his activities
advocating democracy.
In a French Prison (1794)- Paine was made an honorary French citizen by
the republican government in 1792, but lost favor with the new
government (the Reign of Terror) and was imprisoned as an enemy
Englishman. This excerpt from a letter written after Paine's return to
America describes his experiences there and his narrow escape from the
guillotine. "The manner in which I escaped that fate is curious, and
has all the appearance of accident," Paine writes.
