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Thomas Paine was a British subject in London who was talent‑scouted by Benjamin…

2026-08-01 · 20:59 UTC ·@lulumeservey ·1 min read

Brief

Thomas Paine was a British subject recruited in London by Benjamin Franklin to move to Philadelphia and, within two years, wrote Common Sense. In winter 1776 Paine wrote 'The American Crisis,' which George Washington had read to his troops before the crossing of the Delaware; Meservey calls him one of the all-time great recruits and cites the 'summer soldiers' line.

Why it matters

Thomas Paine was a British subject in London who was talent‑scouted by Benjamin Franklin and persuaded to move to Philadelphia.

Key details

  • Less than two years after arriving in America, Paine wrote Common Sense.
  • In winter 1776 Paine wrote 'The American Crisis'; General George Washington had it read to his troops before the crossing of the Delaware, and Paine wrote that a crisis separates 'true believers' from 'summer soldiers.'
Source evidence

Thomas Paine was one of the all-time great recruits for Team USA

Paine was a British subject living in London when he was talent scouted by Benjamin Franklin, who convinced him to move to Philadelphia

Less than two years later, Paine wrote Common Sense

Lulu Cheng Meservey (@lulumeservey)

Thomas Paine wrote “The American Crisis,” in the winter of 1776 as the Americans were getting pummeled by the British

General Washington had it read to his troops before the crossing of the Delaware

It’s not only some of the most fire prose ever, but a good reminder in any crisis:

Nothing worthwhile is easily gained, and a crisis separates the true believers from the “summer soldiers”

— https://nitter.net/lulumeservey/status/2083265560096256205#m