Gary Berton, the president of The Thomas Paine Historical Association, joins Scott Cleary, co-editor of New Directions in Thomas Paine Studies and author of The Field of Imagination: Thomas Paine and Eighteenth-Century Poetry, to discuss the revolutionary life, ideas, and legacy of Thomas Paine in celebration of the 250th anniversary of his famous pamphlet, Common Sense. Julie Silverbrook, vice president of civic education of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall series on February 9, 2026. It is generously sponsored by Citizen Travelers, the nonpartisan civic engagement initiative of Travelers.

Resources

Scott Cleary, New Directions in Thomas Paine Studies
Scott Cleary, The Field of Imagination: Thomas Paine and Eighteenth-Century Poetry
Thomas Paine, Common Sense
Richard Rosenfeld, American Aurora: A Democratic-Republican Returns

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New directions in Thomas Paine studies

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