The Paine Of Evolution: Next Historical Society Program

The American Revolution was painful for many in many ways, but in a different twist on the word, Newtown Historical Society will examine “The Paine of Revolution,” a look at the life and work of Thomas Paine, on Monday, February 8. Presented by Dan Wolinsky, the program will be offered in the community room of C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street. It will begin at 7:30 pm.

Tom Paine was a pivotal figure in the Revolution. Even John Adams, who intensely disliked Paine on a personal level, admitted that independence would not have been won without the inspiring and stirring words from his pen. Common Sense was Paine’s most famous work, justifying the Revolution intellectually and exhorting its believers emotionally. The piece sold throughout the colonies within weeks in the hundreds of thousands, by far the best seller in the nation’s early literary history.

Thomas Paine was born to poverty in England, and, as he put it, “I brought a knowledge of England with me to America.” In spite of his poverty, he developed a keen appreciation of ideals of the Enlightenment, and chose Philadelphia as his American landing place largely because of the presence of Benjamin Franklin. Once there, he found his background gave him credence among the workers and artisans of the city, while his intellect and power with words earned him the respect of the leaders of the revolutionary movement.

After the Revolution, his reputation was increasingly tarnished with accusations of radicalism and atheism. According to his biographer Eric Foner, this darkening picture of Paine went so far as to leave him out of the canon of the Founding Fathers, but in those long and hard days of struggle he well deserved the place of a hero of the Revolution.

Dan Wolinsky is a former college professor in the accounting field, and has written several publications in business and finance. His lifelong avocation has been American history, and he has presented programs many times in the area, including several appearances for Newtown Historical Society. He has also been a volunteer at Weir Farm, Keeler Tavern, Danbury Historical Society, and the Housatonic Tourist Bureau, and has himself served as president of several local groups.

Newtown Historical Society programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the presentation.

Call 203-426-5937 for further information.