The revival of Thomas Paine's reputation after the Napoleonic Wars and of the republican and anticlerical brand of radicalism that he inspired was decisively influenced by Richard Carlile. He was a daring and shrewd publisher, seemingly impervious to anything the state used to restrain him. As a prose stylist he was not particularly distinguished, but at their best his writings shared with his mentor Paine both lucidity and lack of ornamentation-qualities that helped win him a large popular audience in the years 1819-1826. Although his book and pamphlet output was sizable, he was primarily influential as a publisher and as editor of periodicals, to which he also frequently contributed.

Richard Carlile was born on 8 December 1790 in Ashburton, Devon. His father was an exciseman and shoemaker, who either died or deserted his family when his son was four years old. After receiving an education at a local free school...