Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was an English-American political activist, philosopher, and revolutionary. He is best known for his influential writings, such as Common Sense (1776) and The American Crisis (1776-1783), which helped to inspire the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence. Paine was also a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery and the rights of women. He was a key figure in the French Revolution, and his writings were widely read in Europe and the United States. Paine was a passionate believer in democracy and human rights, and his work continues to be an inspiration to many.