Moncure Daniel Conway

Moncure Daniel Conway
Moncure Daniel Conway (1832–1907) was an American abolitionist, minister, and author known for his strong anti-slavery views and advocacy for free thought. Born in Virginia to a slaveholding family, he became a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement after abandoning his Southern roots. He wrote several influential works, including "The Life of Thomas Paine" and "Demonology and Devil-Lore," blending historical analysis and social critique. Conway also lived in England for much of his life, where he worked as a journalist and continued his activism for peace and women's rights.

Author's Books:


THOMAS PAINE, in his Will, speaks of this work as The American Crisis, remembering perhaps that a number of political pamphlets had appeared in London, 1775-1776, under general title of "The Crisis." By the blunder of an early English publisher of Paine's writings, one essay in the London "Crisis" was attributed to Paine, and the error has continued to cause confusion. This... more...

THE RULES OF CIVILITY. Among the manuscript books of George Washington, preserved in the State Archives at Washington City, the earliest bears the date, written in it by himself, 1745. Washington was born February 11, 1731 O.S., so that while writing in this book he was either near the close of his fourteenth, or in his fifteenth, year. It is entitled "Forms of Writing," has thirty folio pages,... more...

In a letter of Lafayette to Washington ("Paris, 12 Jan., 1790") he writes: "Common Sense is writing for you a brochure where you will see a part of my adventures." It thus appears that the narrative embodied in the reply to Burke ("Rights of Man," Part I.), dedicated to Washington, was begun with Lafayette's collaboration fourteen months before its publication (March 13,... more...