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In the winter of 1776, Thomas Paine published Common Sense, one of the defining texts of the North American movement for independence from the British empire. In this incendiary pamphlet, Paine combined his famous denunciation of monarchy with a critique of empire, a radical programme for self-rule, and a principled call for a Declaration of Independence.
An international, interdisciplinary conference on the 250th anniversary of the publication of Paine's pamphlet will take place at the University of Sussex and in Lewes on Friday 9 January and Saturday 10 January 2026. Speakers will consider the significance of the pamphlet in its own time, as well as the enduring legacy of Paine's ideas today. Co-organised by the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies (Iona University); Thomas Paine: Legacy (Lewes, Sussex); and colleagues from across MAH (American Studies; Intellectual History; Social & Political Thought; English Literature; Life History and Life Writing Research).
Registration is essential, and space is extremely limited for Day 2. For links to register and all other information, please follow this link: https://theitps.org/event/common-sense-at-250-legacies-of-democracy-from-paine-to-today/
The conference is sponsored by the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies at Iona University; Thomas Paine: Legacy; The Centre for Social & Political Thought and Intellectual History at the University of Sussex; and the Centre for Life History And Life Writing Research at the University of Sussex. The University of Sussex is a leading international centre for life history research, oral history, and life writing research and teaching. University of Sussex researchers have published extensively in the fields of oral history and life writing, and have initiated pioneering training courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.