# Thomas Paine — The American Crisis character guide > Thomas Paine in The American Crisis by Thomas Paine. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Paine, whither Paine **First appearance:** 0001-the-american-crisis ## Snapshot A bankrupt corset-maker turned revolutionary firebrand who wrote the words that kept a collapsing army in the field. ## Who they are Paine is the narrator and engine of The American Crisis, a man who traded private profit for the cause of independence and claimed he was made an author by America itself. His tension is between the patience a fractured, wavering public demands and his own impatience with compromise, cowardice, and the Tories who wish only for 'peace in my day.' He matters because his pen is the instrument that turns despair into resolve at the war's darkest hour. ## Relationships ### [George Washington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/george_washington) _friendship_ Thomas Paine's writings, especially 'The American Crisis', inspired and supported General Washington's troops during the war. ### [Benjamin Franklin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/benjamin_franklin) _friendship_ Franklin and Paine were fellow revolutionary thinkers and writers who collaborated in promoting American independence. ### [Cornwallis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/cornwallis) _rivalry_ Cornwallis, a British general, was a military opponent of the American cause championed by Paine's writings. ## In the story ### [Editor’s Introduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/editor-s-introduction) Author of 'The American Crisis'; his Will refers to the work as having thirteen numbers, paralleling the American colonies. ### [The American Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-american-crisis) Author and narrator of the essay, urging the colonists to continue the fight. ### [The Crisis I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-i) Author and narrator; recounts his presence with troops at Fort Lee and his march to Pennsylvania, and delivers a passionate call to arms. ### [The Crisis II: To Lord Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-ii-to-lord-howe) Author of the Crisis, directly addressing Lord Howe and defending American independence. ### [The Crisis III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-iii) Author of the Crisis, writing from Philadelphia on April 19, 1777, and reflecting on his previous charitable approach to Tories. ### [The Crisis IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-iv) Author of The Crisis IV, writing under the pseudonym 'Common Sense' to inspire resistance and fortitude. ### [The Crisis V: To Gen. Sir William Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-v-to-gen-sir-william-howe) Author of the Crisis, delivering a scathing indictment of the British king, ministry, and General Howe. ### [To the Inhabitants of America](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/to-the-inhabitants-of-america) Author of the essay, directly addressing the inhabitants of America and outlining military and civic plans. ### [The Crisis VI: To the Earl of Carlisle, General Clinton, and William Eden, Esq., British Commissioners at New York](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-vi-to-the-earl-of-carlisle-general-clinton-and-william-eden-esq-british-commissioners-at-new-york) Author of the Crisis VI, writing as 'Common Sense' to address British commissioners. ### [The Crisis VII: To the People of England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-vii-to-the-people-of-england) Author of the Crisis, addressing the people of England directly, drawing on his firsthand knowledge of America. ### [The Crisis VIII: Address to the People of England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-viii-address-to-the-people-of-england) Author of the address, directly admonishing the English people and warning them of the consequences of their government's actions. ### [The Crisis IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-ix) Author of the Crisis IX, writing as 'Common Sense' from Philadelphia on June 9, 1780. ### [The Crisis Extraordinary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-extraordinary) Author of the essay, presenting a detailed financial analysis and argument for taxation to support the war. ### [The Crisis X: On the King of England’s Speech](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-x-on-the-king-of-england-s-speech) Author and commentator, delivering a scathing critique of the king's speech. ### [To the People of America](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/to-the-people-of-america) Author of the address; reflects on his past writings and his opposition to Silas Deane. ### [The Crisis XI: On the Present State of News](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-xi-on-the-present-state-of-news) Author of the Crisis, writing under the pen name 'Common Sense' to address both America and the British ministry. ### [A Supernumerary Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/a-supernumerary-crisis) Author of the crisis, addressing Sir Guy Carleton directly. ### [The Crisis XII: To the Earl of Shelburne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-xii-to-the-earl-of-shelburne) Author of the Crisis series, directly addressing Lord Shelburne and critiquing British policy. ### [The Crisis XIII: Thoughts on the Peace, and Probable Advantages Thereof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/the-crisis-xiii-thoughts-on-the-peace-and-probable-advantages-thereof) Paine reflects on his role as an author for the cause of America, stating he avoided offices and party connections to serve the revolution, and takes leave of the subject as peace arrives. ### [A Supernumerary Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/a-supernumerary-crisis) Author of the piece, writing under the pseudonym 'Common Sense' to rally Americans against British trade restrictions. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/endnotes) Paine is the author of the Crisis essays; the endnotes detail his enlistment, his role as Secretary of the Committee of Foreign Affairs, and his interactions with other figures. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters/thomas_paine - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_crisis_se/characters