America celebrates Thomas Paine

In 2009 the world will celebrate the life of Thomas Paine; one of the great champions of freedom who wrote The Rights of Man. Thomas Paine has significant relevance to the county of Sussex, having lived much of his life in Lewes, East Sussex or the neighbouring county of Kent. The time that Paine spent in Lewes was a formative period in shaping his philosophy and thinking.

A series of celebratory events, including talks, plays, vignettes about the life of Paine and tours, take in place in Lewes in 2009, culminating in the Thomas Paine & Lewes: Revolution & Reason Festival to be held between 4 – 14 July. Visit thomaspaineandlewes.com to find out more.

Fighter for Freedom

Paine’s life will be celebrated in 2009 in Washington D.C., a city which represents the pinnacle of success of Thomas Paine’s political efforts. Paine’s strong beliefs in freedom led to him to advocate the fight for American Independence and he is now often referred to as ‘The Father of the American Revolution’.

Despite his English birth and citizenship to France, Paine considered America his homeland and therefore avidly supported its’ independence. Thomas Paine’s wrote of this support in the pamphlet Common Sense (1776); this pamphlet was a key influence on George Washington (a former Virginia resident and first President of United States of America) and John Adams’ decision to seek independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Paine would become a great friend and intellectual peer of fellow Founding Father Thomas Jefferson* (another Virginia Resident and President). Paine inspired Jefferson to propose and then write the Declaration of Independence similar to the declaration that Paine suggests in Common Sense; Jefferson’s declaration is still on display at The Library of Congress, Washington D.C. Paine was not only one of the Fathers of American Freedom but was the writer that first coined the phrase ‘United States of America’.
When America’s quest for freedom led to war, with battles taking places all over Virginia and beyond, Paine’s writings, including The American Crisis (1777) were used to rally the troops, on the instruction of George Washington. This pamphlet included the famous quote, “These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”

Having helped secure independence for America, Paine’s quest to bring freedom to the world led him to France where he wrote many more controversial pamphlets; these would include pamphlets on The French Revolution and Religion. The latter of these pamphlets would lead to his arrest in France, despite his once strong friendship with Napoleon, and he eventually narrowly avoided execution due to the help of America’s fifth President and at the time America’s Minister to France, James Monroe** (also a former Virginia resident and US President).

Thomas Paine died on 8 June, 1809, aged 72, in New York City.

On the trail of Thomas Paine:

• The Library of Congress, (101 Independence Avenue, SE, Washington, DC) which houses the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, as well as original volumes from Thomas Jefferson’s library, is open to the public, Monday-Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm loc.gov.

• George Washington’s elegant home at Mount Vernon, which boasts the most magnificent view over the Potomac River, superb gardens and a fascinating 500 acre estate, is open to the public daily - mountvernon.org.

• Thomas Jefferson’s beautiful, hilltop estate and most famous private home, Monticello, is open daily and will instantly be recognised by the visitor as featuring on the back of the U.S. nickel coin - monticello.org.

• James Monroe lived at Ash Lawn-Highland, Charlottesville, Virginia. This beautiful property, which is just two miles from Monticello, home to his friend and President, Thomas Jefferson is open to the daily to the public - ashlawnhighland.org.

• A Presidents’ Pass, which enables the visitor to obtain discounts on entry to Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland and Michie Tavern can be purchased for $29 per person - pursuecharlottesville.com/attractionIndex.php.

LastMinute.com offer 3-night, 3* city breaks to Washington, DC from £386 per person (or from £406 for 4* accommodation) inclusive of flights and room-only accommodation. Seven-night fly-drive holidays, featuring Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland are also available from £946 per person, inclusive of flights and room-only accommodation and car rental.