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Primary sourcePainting26 December 1792

Who Wants Me (Thomas Paine Caricature, 1792)

Unknown · 26 December 1792

A hand-colored 1792 engraving showing Paine holding the Rights of Man, surrounded by words like Rebellion and Treason, reflecting fierce reaction to his politics.

This caricature depicts Paine himself, showing how he was perceived and attacked by critics of his political writings.

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Hand-colored 1792 engraved caricature of a standing man in a dark green coat, grey waistcoat and striped stockings, holding a scroll labeled Rights of Man. He carries a bundle of weapons and tools on his back and a sword in his other hand. Radiating words surround his head, such as Rebellion, Perjury, Treason and Murder. He stands on torn scraps labeled Laws, Morality and Obedience. The caption reads Who Wants Me.
Unknown artist, Who Wants Me, 1792. Satirical caricature of Thomas Paine.

About this source

What it is

This is a hand-colored engraving made in 1792 by an unknown artist. It shows a standing man in a dark coat holding a scroll labeled Rights of Man, carrying weapons and tools, with words such as Rebellion, Perjury, Treason and Murder radiating around his head. He stands on torn scraps labeled Laws, Morality and Obedience, under the caption "Who Wants Me."

Why it matters

The print is a hostile caricature of Thomas Paine, created at the height of the controversy over his pamphlet Rights of Man and his support for the French Revolution. It shows how Paine was viewed by opponents in Britain as a dangerous rebel threatening the monarchy and social order.

Look closer

  • What do the words surrounding his head suggest about how the artist wanted viewers to feel about him?
  • Why might the artist show him standing on labels like "Laws" and "Morality"?
  • What does this tell you about free speech and dissent in 1792 Britain?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Thomas Paine on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page of the 1776 Philadelphia pamphlet Common Sense, addressed to the Inhabitants of America, printed by R. Bell in Third Street. Handwritten annotations include a name in the top corner and Thomas Paine's name near the bottom.Book

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The American Crisis

Thomas Paine · 1776-1783

Title page of Rights of Man, reading 'Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Mr. Burke's Attack on the French Revolution, by Thomas Paine, Secretary for Foreign Affairs to Congress in the American War, and Author of the Work Intitled Common Sense. London: Printed for J. S. Jordan, No. 166, Fleet-Street. MDCCXCI.' Handwritten ink marks appear in the upper right corner.Book

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Rights of Man

Thomas Paine · 1791-1792

Title page of The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine. Text reads: 'The Age of Reason; Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology. By Thomas Paine, Secretary for Foreign Affairs to Congress in the American War, and author of the works entitled Common Sense, and Rights of Man, &c. Paris: Printed by Barrois. London: Sold by D. I. Eaton, at the Cock and Swine, No. 74, Newgate-street. 1794. Price two shillings.'Book

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The Age of Reason

Thomas Paine · 1794-1807

Scan of the engrossed Declaration of Independence on aged parchment. Heading reads 'In Congress, July 4, 1776' with the title 'The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America' below. Dense handwritten text fills the page; signatures appear at the bottom.Document

Primary source

Declaration of Independence

Continental Congress (drafted by Thomas Jefferson) · 1776

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