Thomas Paine was born among the lower classes of Eighteenth Century England, and quickly developed an opposition to the concepts of hereditary privilege which predominated English society of the time.
He emigrated to the United States in 1774, and quickly found common ground with other advocates for political upheaval. In the January of 1776 he published 'Common Sense', the first pamphlet to advocate for America's independence from England, in which he argued for the superiority of Republican government over monarchy, equal rights for all citizens, and the role of an American Republic as a model on global politics.
Returning to Europe, he defended the French Revolution and became one of the few foreigners elected to the National Convention before offending the Jacobins by opposing the execution of the King.
His writings in 'Rights of Man' revolutionised English politics by linking political reforms with improved social conditions for the lower class.
In his last writings, The Age of Reason, he attacked some of the basic principles of Christianity, and as a result was hounded by Evangelicals after his return to the US in 1802. He died to scant recognition in 1809.