Colonial Campaigns Club (CCC)

In 1776, in the American Colonies, Thomas Paine published "Common Sense," a pamphlet that advocated separation from Great Britain.
Paine was born and raised in England, but as a young man was unsuccessful at finding steady employment. In 1774, while in London, he befriended Benjamin Franklin who convinced him to move to Philadelphia to work as a publicist. His publication of "Common Sense" made him a hero to the revolutionary cause. During the war he wrote "The Crisis," an extremely popular periodical.
After the war Paine returned to Europe where he wrote several other works. He was also a member of the National Convention during the French Revolution. He returned to the United States in 1802 but was unpopular due to anti-religious works that he had written during the 1790s. Paine died penniless and with few friends in 1809.