Trying a man’s soul: Tony D’Souza extols a pioneer of human rights

‘Was Thomas Paine the ultimate Quaker?’

by Tony D’Souza 18th July 2025

Was Thomas Paine (1737-1809) the ultimate Quaker? He had strong convictions, believed in God but not in organised religion, and had an unerring capacity to annoy both friends and foes alike. So that’s probably a yes.