Thomas Paine was the one truly radical Founding Father of America, a man who changed the face of the world with his pen. “Common Sense” inspired the American Revolution, “Rights of Man” defined the French Revolution, and “The Age of Reason” called on us to use our ability to reason as the basis for our beliefs and morality. He is a man largely forgotten and greatly misunderstood, yet ironically quoted by all and every political faction in the world today. Moreover his ideas about democracy, equality, slavery, pensions, healthcare, and education and morality would have created a very different kind of world if they had been acted on. The man who ignited revolutions would die largely ignored and disdained, yet when he was writing his books and pamphlets he was at the epicenter of world events, literally transforming nations through the power of his words. We are determined to write Paine back into the pages of our history and make sure that the true meaning of his work reaches as many people as possible. Thomas Paine’s vision was a call to action. As he said “we have it in our power to begin the world over again.”

Our Project uses a variety of digital and traditional media to bring Paine’s world to the internet, the stage, and the screen. Please explore our site and sign up for the monthly Newsletter at the bottom of any page.