Just finished by book on Thomas Paine, the founding father of the American Revolution. Extract!

5 reasons why Thomas Paine should be considered a founding father (possibly at the expense of Thomas Jefferson).

Chapter one.

Preamble.

“Filthy little atheist” - T. Roosevelt thoughts on Thomas Paine.

Thomas Paine was not a respectable or respected man, during his lifetime or since. Thomas Jefferson on the other hand, whilst apparently sharing many of the same views as Paine was and is held in higher esteem. “All honour to Jefferson” was the cry from Abraham Lincoln on the eve of the Civil War. But does Jefferson really deserve more accolades that Paine, does Jefferson deserve any? And Paine none?