Independent commends Samuel Johnson Society lecture on Thomas Paine

Earlier today I attended a very interesting online talk by Paul Myles on Thomas Paine held by the Samuel Johnson Society. While Paine was known more so in America than in Britain for his contribution to the Articles of Confederation which preceded the United States Constitution, his philosophy laid the early foundations for libertarian values around the world. In Rights of Man (1791-2), Paine advocated the primacy of natural rights, fair taxation, the abolition of aristocracy and a written constitution to be the basis of a nation free from tyranny. This link is to Paul Myles’ book on Paine’s rise to prominence; I’m sure it’s well worth the read – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rise-Thomas-Paine-Officers-publications/dp/199932630X