REMNANT TRUST COLLECTION
The Rights of Man – 1791
Category: Liberty & Human Dignity and Politics
By Thomas Paine
Published in 1791
Reference #1196
This famous and important treatise, on the principles of fundamental human rights laid down by Thomas Paine, became an instant success.Paine wrote Rights of Man, an abstract political tract critical of monarchies and European social institutions. He completed the text on January 29, 1791. On January 31, he gave the manuscript to publisher Joseph Johnson for publication on February 22.
Meanwhile, government agents visited him, and, sensing dangerous political controversy, he reneged on his promise to sell the book on publication day; Paine quickly negotiated with publisher J.S. Jordan, then went to Paris, per William Blake’s advice, leaving three good friends, William Godwin, Thomas Brand Hollis, and Thomas Holcroft, charged with concluding publication in Britain. The book appeared on March 13, three weeks later than scheduled, and sold well.