Difference between revisions of "Rights of Man"

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(Summary paragraphs by Karen Osborne.)
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===by Thomas Paine===
 
===by Thomas Paine===
 
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<blockquote>In many respects Rights of Man is a disordered mix of narrative, principled argument, and rhetorical appeal—betraying the composite materials Paine used and the speed with which it was composed. But the vigorous and trenchant style in which it was written accounts for its huge success. It was quickly reprinted and widely circulated, with copies being read aloud in inns and coffee houses, so that by May some 50,000 copies were said to be in circulation. Of the 300 or more pamphlets which the revolution controversy spawned, Rights of Man was the first seriously to damage Burke's case and to restore credit to the French both in Britain and America. <ref> Mark Philp, ‘Paine, Thomas (1737–1809)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2008 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/21133, accessed 27 June 2013] </ref> </blockquote>
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[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_paine Thomas Paine] (1737-1809) Revolutionary, author, pamphleteer. Thomas Paine had the ability to communicate the ideas of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_revolution Age of Revolution] in plain English that could be understood by all. He is considered one of the most radical thinkers of the age.<ref>Erick Foner, [http://www.anb.org/articles/16/16-01251.html “Paine, Thomas”] in ''American National Biography Online'' (Oxford University Press, Feb. 2000- ), accessed Oct. 3, 2013. (Subscription required for access.)</ref>  In ''The Rights of Man'', he defended the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Revolution French Revolution] against the attacks of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Burke Edmund Burke]. This response repudiated the concept of “hereditary” governments found in monarchies.<ref>Mark Philip, [http://www.oxforddnb.com.proxy.wm.edu/view/article/21133 "Paine, Thomas (1737–1809)"] in ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (Oxford University Press, 2004- ), accessed Oct. 3, 2013. (Subscription required for access.)</ref> Because of his arguments against monarchy, Paine was charged with seditious libel causing him to flee England never to return.<ref>Ibid.</ref><br />
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Paine was born in Thetford, Norfolk, England.<ref>Ibid.</ref> He spent his youth in England and met with limited success in his various enterprises. At thirty-seven, on the recommendation of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin Benjamin Franklin], he moved to America where he found his true calling.<ref>Foner, "Paine, Thomas."</ref> There he began working as a journalist and used his skill in writing and debate to support and promote the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution American Revolution]. His pamphlet [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_sense ''Common Sense''] “became one of the most successful and influential pamphlets in the history of political writing.”<ref>Ibid.</ref> It helped the colonists see independence as “both desirable and attainable.”<ref>Philip, "Paine Thomas."</ref><br />
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After the Revolution, Paine went back to England where he became acquainted with Edmund Burke.<ref>Ibid.</ref> When Burke attacked the French Revolution in writing, Paine responded with ''The Rights of Man''.<ref>Ibid.</ref> As a result of his argument against Burke, he was charged with sedition and fled to France. During his time in France, he was imprisoned for speaking out against executing King Louis XVI.<ref>Ibid.</ref> While in prison he wrote ''The Age of Reason'' in which he argued against the church. He was released from prison with the help of James Monroe and returned to America.<ref>Ibid.</ref> He found that because of his ideas in ''The Age of Reason'' he was very unpopular in the United States. When he died on June 8, 1809 only a handful of people attended his funeral.<ref>Philip, "Paine Thomas."</ref>  
  
 
==Bibliographic Information==
 
==Bibliographic Information==
'''Author:''' Thomas Paine
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'''Author:''' Thomas Paine.
  
'''Title:''' Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Mr. Burke's Attack on the French Revolution
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'''Title:''' ''Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Mr. Burke's Attack on the French Revolution'' bound with ''Rights of Man: Part the Second, Combining Principle and Practice''.
  
'''Publication Info:''' 8th ed. London: Printed for J.S. Jordan, 1791.  
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'''Publication Info:''' London: Printed for J.S. Jordan, 1791-1792.
  
'''Edition:'''
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'''Edition:''' Eighth edition ; x, 171 pages (part one); xv, 178 pages (part two).
  
 
==Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library==
 
==Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library==
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Bound in early nineteenth century full tan diced calf binding. Spine with raised bands, brown title label, gilt. Purchased from Paul Foster-ABA.
 
Bound in early nineteenth century full tan diced calf binding. Spine with raised bands, brown title label, gilt. Purchased from Paul Foster-ABA.
  
View this book in [https://catalog.swem.wm.edu/law/Record/3654154 William & Mary's online catalog.]
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View [https://catalog.swem.wm.edu/law/Record/3654154 part one] and [https://catalog.swem.wm.edu/law/Record/3739689 part two] in William & Mary's online catalog.
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
[http://books.google.com/books?id=hghCAAAAcAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Rights+of+Man+1791&hl=en&sa=X&ei=5M3eUcSsCub94APov4HgDA&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Rights%20of%20Man%201791&f=false Google Books]
 
[http://books.google.com/books?id=hghCAAAAcAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Rights+of+Man+1791&hl=en&sa=X&ei=5M3eUcSsCub94APov4HgDA&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Rights%20of%20Man%201791&f=false Google Books]

Revision as of 16:32, 4 October 2013

by Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) Revolutionary, author, pamphleteer. Thomas Paine had the ability to communicate the ideas of the Age of Revolution in plain English that could be understood by all. He is considered one of the most radical thinkers of the age.[1] In The Rights of Man, he defended the French Revolution against the attacks of Edmund Burke. This response repudiated the concept of “hereditary” governments found in monarchies.[2] Because of his arguments against monarchy, Paine was charged with seditious libel causing him to flee England never to return.[3]

Paine was born in Thetford, Norfolk, England.[4] He spent his youth in England and met with limited success in his various enterprises. At thirty-seven, on the recommendation of Benjamin Franklin, he moved to America where he found his true calling.[5] There he began working as a journalist and used his skill in writing and debate to support and promote the American Revolution. His pamphlet Common Sense “became one of the most successful and influential pamphlets in the history of political writing.”[6] It helped the colonists see independence as “both desirable and attainable.”[7]

After the Revolution, Paine went back to England where he became acquainted with Edmund Burke.[8] When Burke attacked the French Revolution in writing, Paine responded with The Rights of Man.[9] As a result of his argument against Burke, he was charged with sedition and fled to France. During his time in France, he was imprisoned for speaking out against executing King Louis XVI.[10] While in prison he wrote The Age of Reason in which he argued against the church. He was released from prison with the help of James Monroe and returned to America.[11] He found that because of his ideas in The Age of Reason he was very unpopular in the United States. When he died on June 8, 1809 only a handful of people attended his funeral.[12]

Bibliographic Information

Author: Thomas Paine.

Title: Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Mr. Burke's Attack on the French Revolution bound with Rights of Man: Part the Second, Combining Principle and Practice.

Publication Info: London: Printed for J.S. Jordan, 1791-1792.

Edition: Eighth edition ; x, 171 pages (part one); xv, 178 pages (part two).

Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library

Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy

Bound in early nineteenth century full tan diced calf binding. Spine with raised bands, brown title label, gilt. Purchased from Paul Foster-ABA.

View part one and part two in William & Mary's online catalog.

External Links

Google Books

References

  1. Erick Foner, “Paine, Thomas” in American National Biography Online (Oxford University Press, Feb. 2000- ), accessed Oct. 3, 2013. (Subscription required for access.)
  2. Mark Philip, "Paine, Thomas (1737–1809)" in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004- ), accessed Oct. 3, 2013. (Subscription required for access.)
  3. Ibid.
  4. Ibid.
  5. Foner, "Paine, Thomas."
  6. Ibid.
  7. Philip, "Paine Thomas."
  8. Ibid.
  9. Ibid.
  10. Ibid.
  11. Ibid.
  12. Philip, "Paine Thomas."