Rights of Man

From Wythepedia: The George Wythe Encyclopedia
Revision as of 15:30, 27 February 2014 by Sjwilmes (talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search

by Thomas Paine

Rights of Man
PaineRightsofMan1791.jpg

Title page from Rights of Man, volume one, George Wythe Collection, Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary.

Author Thomas Paine
Editor {{{editor}}}
Translator {{{trans}}}
Published London: Printed for J.S. Jordan
Date 1791-92
Edition Eighth
Language English
Volumes 2 volume set
Pages x, 171 pages (part one); xv, 178 pages (part two).
Desc. 22 cm. (part one); 21 cm. (part two).
Location [[Shelf {{{shelf}}}]]
  [[Shelf {{{shelf2}}}]]

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]

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."