As Independence Day fast approaches, it is hard not to feel a sense of anticipation
in the air. Perhaps it emerges from imminent firework displays, the onset of
long summer days, remembrance of our Founding Fathers, or familial traditions of
hot dogs, hamburgers, and all things red, white, and blue.
Thomas Paine and his work of propaganda, Common Sense, is often overshadowed by
these familiar representations of Independence Day. Nonetheless, he is an
important figure in America’s early history. Paine was an Englishman who
immigrated to the United States in 1774. A publicist, writer and orator, Paine
soon became very active in the fight for independence upon his arrival in
Philadelphia. In 1776, Paine published his pamphlet
criticizing the British government and calling on the colonists to declare
their independence and fight for freedom.
Common Sense became a
sensation throughout the colonies and among the higher ranks of political greats
such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. The relatively short work is
remembered for its influential ideas and its impact on the American
Revolution. For Paine and Americans in agreement with his arguments, independence
was a want, a necessity, and, above all, their right. Rauner Special Collections Library has a copy of the tenth
edition of Common Sense from 1776,
the same year that the pamphlet was originally printed. The fact that a tenth
edition was printed during its first year of publication demonstrates its true
popularity. This particular copy was also quite popular with its previous
owners: the wear and tear on the pages resembles a beloved novel that has been
read and re-read.
In addition to his interest in politics, Paine was also very
focused on the sciences and is credited for experimenting with marsh gas, a
smokeless candle and the construction of bridges. It is his passion for bridge-building that is fascinating to us here at Rauner. In our manuscript collections, we have a handwritten
letter from Paine to Benjamin Franklin, dated June 14, 1786, that references Paine’s homegrown bridge models.
Franklin at the time had retired from his role as Ambassador to France and had
assumed his new role as Governor of Pennsylvania. It can be concluded from the letter and some additional research that
Paine and Franklin had a relationship akin to mentor and protege, which can be traced
back to Paine’s first arrival in America: Franklin had met Paine abroad and had written a
letter of introduction for him in the early 1770s. The relationship formed during those early days of revolution lasted into
Franklin’s later years and was close enough to warrant Paine seeking Franklin’s
observations on his bridge models; the two men evidently shared a passion for more than politics.
To see our copy of Paine’s Common Sense, ask for Rare E211 .P126 1776.
To read Paine’s letter to Benjamin Franklin, ask for Ticknor MS 786364.1.
Posted for Julia Logan, a library school student at Simmons College who is Rauner's Public Services summer intern.
Posted for Julia Logan, a library school student at Simmons College who is Rauner's Public Services summer intern.
