Thomas Paine, English-American philosopher, author, and activist (died 1809)

Thomas Paine was an English-born American Founding Father, French Revolutionary, inventor, political philosopher, and statesman. He authored Common Sense (1776) and The American Crisis (1776–1783), two of the most influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution, and he helped to inspire the colonial era patriots in 1776 to declare independence from Great Britain. His ideas reflected Enlightenment-era ideals of human rights.

February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 325 days remain until the end of the year.