The American Crisis · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The American Crisis by Thomas Paine.
Thomas Paine
major
Also known as Paine, whither Paine
Author and narrator of The American Crisis, urging American independence and resilience.
America
major
Also known as the Americans, The Americans
Personified nation representing the American colonies and their struggle for liberty.
Britain
major
Also known as England, the English
Personified adversary nation representing British monarchy and parliamentary tyranny.
George Washington
supporting
Also known as Washington, General Washington, a Washington
Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, praised for leadership and perseverance.
Sir William Howe
supporting
Also known as Howe, General Howe, Sir William Howe, Sir William
British general commanding forces in America, criticized for indecisiveness.
Lord Howe
supporting
Also known as Howe
British admiral and peace commissioner, brother of Sir William Howe.
General Burgoyne
supporting
Also known as Burgoyne, General Burgoyne
British general defeated at Saratoga, symbol of British failure.
Silas Deane
supporting
Also known as Silas Deane
American diplomat in France, later accused of treason and defended by Paine.
Benjamin Franklin
supporting
Also known as Franklin, Dr. Franklin
American statesman and diplomat in France, admired for wisdom.
Lord North
supporting
Also known as Lord North
British Prime Minister during the American Revolution, blamed for the war.
Congress
supporting
Also known as Congress
Continental Congress, governing body of the American colonies.
Captain Asgill
minor
Also known as Asgill, young Asgill
British prisoner of war whose life was spared by Congress.
Lord Shelburne
minor
Also known as Lord Shelburne
British statesman and peace negotiator, addressed by Paine.
General Gage
minor
Also known as General Gage, Gage
British commander in Boston early in the war.
General Clinton
minor
Also known as General Clinton, Sir Harry Clinton, Sir Henry Clinton, General Sir Henry Clinton
British commander-in-chief in America later in the war.
General Conway
minor
Also known as General Conway, Conway, Henry Seymour Conway
British general and politician, criticized by Paine.
Lord Sheffield
minor
Also known as Lord Sheffield
British peer and writer on trade, rebutted by Paine.
Cornwallis
minor
Also known as Cornwallis
British general who surrendered at Yorktown.
Mr. Grenville
minor
Also known as Mr. Grenville
British politician associated with the Stamp Act.
George the Third
minor
Also known as George the Third
King of Britain, blamed for tyranny against the colonies.
John Pemberton
minor
Also known as John Pemberton, John
Quaker leader criticized for pacifist stance during war.
William Eden
minor
Also known as William Eden, Eden
British peace commissioner to America, addressed by Paine.
George Johnston
minor
Also known as George Johnston, Johnston
British naval officer and politician mentioned in context of war.
Lord Chatham
minor
Also known as Lord Chatham
British statesman who sympathized with American grievances.
General Carleton
minor
Also known as General Carleton, Carleton
British governor of Canada during the war.
General Gates
minor
Also known as General Gates
American general who defeated Burgoyne at Saratoga.
Dr. Price
minor
Also known as Dr. Price, The Rev. Dr. Price
British clergyman and supporter of American independence.
Sir John Dalrymple
minor
Also known as Sir John Dalrymple
British historian and pamphleteer criticized by Paine.
The Quakers
minor
Also known as the Quakers, Quakers
Religious group opposed to war, rebuked by Paine for neutrality.
Tories
minor
Also known as Tories, the Tories, The Tories, Tory
American colonists loyal to Britain, denounced as traitors.
Hessians
minor
Also known as Hessians, the Hessians
German mercenaries hired by Britain to fight in America.
Providence
minor
Also known as Providence
Divine force invoked as guiding American cause.
