AMERICAN LITERATURE DURING
REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD
AMERICAN REVOLUTION
A political movement by the thirteen colonies of America against the kingdom of
Britain. The independence of United States of America from the Great Britain was
an outcome of this revolution. It was from 1765-1783.
REVOLUTIONARY LITERATURE
Literature during this period reflected the social, cultural and political climate of
the period. It portrayed diverse ideas and perspective on the revolution. It was
difficult for American authors to get modern publishers and audience. American
audience preferred European literature than American literature.
MAJOR WRITERS
1. Benjamin Franklin
2. Thomas Paine
3. Philip Freneau
4. Charles Brockden Brown
5. Washington Irving
6. James Fenimore cooper
7. Thomas Jefferson
In Detail:
Benjamin Franklin • 1706-1790
• One of the Founding Fathers of
America
• Painter, Publisher, Author,
Diplomat, Scientist, Investigator.
, • Belonged to working class
family
• Published Pennsylvania
Chronicle.
• Works: The busy body, a series
of essay in Addisonian style.
• Poor Richards Almanack (1732)
under the pseudonym Robert
Saunders
• Mottos in Poor Richards
Almanack are
• Lost time never found again
• A penny saved is a penny earned
• Fish and visitors stink in three
days.
Thomas Paine • 1737-1809
• Born in Britain on January 29
• Formally educated till the age of
13
• Met Benjamin Franklin who
convinced him, while working a
low paid job
• Moved to America and later
emigrated in America in 1774
• Become the editor of
Pennsylvania Chronicle
• His works are
▪ Common Sense:
• 1776
• Political pamphlet
• Anonymously published
• Blamed British monarch
George 3rd for the
sufferings of American
colonies.
▪ The American Crisis
• 1776-83
▪ The Rights of Man
REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD
AMERICAN REVOLUTION
A political movement by the thirteen colonies of America against the kingdom of
Britain. The independence of United States of America from the Great Britain was
an outcome of this revolution. It was from 1765-1783.
REVOLUTIONARY LITERATURE
Literature during this period reflected the social, cultural and political climate of
the period. It portrayed diverse ideas and perspective on the revolution. It was
difficult for American authors to get modern publishers and audience. American
audience preferred European literature than American literature.
MAJOR WRITERS
1. Benjamin Franklin
2. Thomas Paine
3. Philip Freneau
4. Charles Brockden Brown
5. Washington Irving
6. James Fenimore cooper
7. Thomas Jefferson
In Detail:
Benjamin Franklin • 1706-1790
• One of the Founding Fathers of
America
• Painter, Publisher, Author,
Diplomat, Scientist, Investigator.
, • Belonged to working class
family
• Published Pennsylvania
Chronicle.
• Works: The busy body, a series
of essay in Addisonian style.
• Poor Richards Almanack (1732)
under the pseudonym Robert
Saunders
• Mottos in Poor Richards
Almanack are
• Lost time never found again
• A penny saved is a penny earned
• Fish and visitors stink in three
days.
Thomas Paine • 1737-1809
• Born in Britain on January 29
• Formally educated till the age of
13
• Met Benjamin Franklin who
convinced him, while working a
low paid job
• Moved to America and later
emigrated in America in 1774
• Become the editor of
Pennsylvania Chronicle
• His works are
▪ Common Sense:
• 1776
• Political pamphlet
• Anonymously published
• Blamed British monarch
George 3rd for the
sufferings of American
colonies.
▪ The American Crisis
• 1776-83
▪ The Rights of Man
