<P> Born in Thetford in the English county of Norfolk , Paine migrated to the British American colonies in 1774 with the help of Benjamin Franklin , arriving just in time to participate in the American Revolution . Virtually every rebel read ( or listened to a reading of ) his powerful pamphlet Common Sense ( 1776 ) , proportionally the all - time best - selling American title , which crystallized the rebellious demand for independence from Great Britain . His The American Crisis ( 1776 -- 83 ) was a pro-revolutionary pamphlet series . Common Sense was so influential that John Adams said , `` Without the pen of the author of Common Sense , the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain . '' </P>
<P> Born in Thetford in the English county of Norfolk , Paine migrated to the British American colonies in 1774 with the help of Benjamin Franklin , arriving just in time to participate in the American Revolution . Virtually every rebel read ( or listened to a reading of ) his powerful pamphlet Common Sense ( 1776 ) , proportionally the all - time best - selling American title , which crystallized the rebellious demand for independence from Great Britain . His The American Crisis ( 1776 -- 83 ) was a pro-revolutionary pamphlet series . Common Sense was so influential that John Adams said , `` Without the pen of the author of Common Sense , the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain . '' </P>
common sense which was written by thomas paine was an important work because it
common sense which was written by thomas paine was an important work because it
crystallized the rebellious demand for independence from Great Britain
crystallized the rebellious demand for independence from Great Britain