Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

In Our Time

Discussion & Talk

Podcasts

Factual: History

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.

BBC Radio 4 LW

Melvyn Bragg

Kathleen Burk

Nicholas Guyatt

Peter Thompson

Simon Tillotson

In Our Time: Thomas Paine's Common Sense

in-our-time_e_211016_gt.jpg

21/01/2016

Thomas Paine's Common Sense

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, Thomas Paine's Common Sense

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense, published in 1776.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense, which was published in 1776 and bolstered support for American independence.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Thomas Paine and his pamphlet "Common Sense" which was published in Philadelphia in January 1776 and promoted the argument for American independence from Britain. Addressed to The Inhabitants of America, it sold one hundred and fifty thousand copies in the first few months and is said, proportionately, to be the best-selling book in American history. Paine had arrived from England barely a year before. He vigorously attacked monarchy generally and George the Third in particular. He argued the colonies should abandon all hope of resolving their dispute with Britain and declare independence immediately. Many Americans were scandalised. More were inspired and, for Paine's vision of America's independent future, he has been called a Founding Father of the United States.

With 

Kathleen Burk
Professor Emerita of Modern and Contemporary History at University College London

Nicholas Guyatt
University Lecturer in American History at the University of Cambridge

And

Peter Thompson
Associate Professor of American History at the University of Oxford and Fellow of St Cross College

Producer: Simon Tillotson.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

In Our Time

Thomas Paine's Common Sense

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4