Paine, Thomas /peɪn/ BrE AmE
(1737–1809) a US political ↑ philosopher and writer, born in England. He supported the American states in their fight to become independent of Britain, and he also supported the French Revolution and had to escape from England to France because of this. His most famous books, which have had a great influence on political thinking, are The Rights of Man and The Age of Reason .