Thomas Paine: Life, Liberty and Legacyat American Library, Memorial to the 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, United States Army Air Forces

In honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence The American Library and Thetford Library present talks on Thomas Paine

Thetford born Thomas Paine (1737–1809) was a writer, philosopher, and Founding Father of the United States of America whose radical pamphlets ignited the American Revolution. In these talks offered by Dr Sam Edwards and Paine Scholar Leanne O'Boyle we explore his philosophies and his historical legacy

Dr Sam Edwards read for a PhD at Lancaster University before then winning a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award to conduct research at the University of Pittsburgh. On completion of this research (which led to the publication of his Gladstone Prize short-listed monograph, Allies in Memory) Sam took up a lectureship at Manchester Metropolitan University. At Manchester Met, he discharged a number of substantive leadership roles including undergraduate programme leader, founding Director of the Manchester Centre for Public History and Heritage, Head of History, and, finally, Head of the Department of History, Politics and Philosophy. Sam joined Loughborough in May 2023. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Sam is an experienced public historian with expertise on commemoration and heritage, transatlantic relations, film and TV history, and the history of running. He is Co-Editor of the British Journal for Military History (British Journal for Military History (gold.ac.uk) ) and Vice-Chair of the Transatlantic Studies Association (Transatlantic Studies Association ).

Sam has extensive experience working with the media and has provided expert commentary to BBC News, BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio, CNN, Sky News, France 24, and US Government TV. He has also written for various media outlets, including The Washington Post, The Independent, War on the Rocks, American Heritage, History and Policy, BBC Online Magazine, BBC History Extra, Military History Matters, Britain at War, and The Conversation. A keen runner - and a 'running historian' – Sam has also penned articles for Runner's World and Outdoor Fitness and he’s provided expert insights (on running culture) for The Economist and BBC Radio 4.

Beyond academia, Sam is a Trustee of Sulgrave Manor in Northamptonshire (ancestral home of George Washington), a Trustee of The D-Day Story (Portsmouth), and a Governor of The American Library in Norwich (a memorial established to the World War II Second Air Division, US 8th Army Air Force).

Leanne O’Boyle FSA is a writer, broadcaster and heritage leader specialising in the history and heritage of the eighteenth century, the American Revolution and transatlantic connections. She is the Founding Director of Thomas Paine: Legacy, a UK not-for-profit organisation based at Bull House in Lewes, the former home of Thomas Paine. Leanne is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and an Associate of the Society of Authors. She holds a BA in the Ancient World and an MA in Cultural Heritage Studies from University College London.

Leanne has 20 years’ experience in cultural heritage and visitor attractions, including almost eight years at the City of London, where as Head of Cultural and Visitor Strategy she led work on the City’s cultural and tourism strategy and its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. She was previously Executive Director of the Sussex Archaeological Society, overseeing its work across a number of heritage sites including Fishbourne Roman Palace and the Long Man of Wilmington. Through Thomas Paine: Legacy, she now leads a programme of public history, education and cultural activity exploring Paine’s life, ideas and continuing global significance.

An experienced public historian and broadcaster, Leanne has appeared as a historical expert on BBC, PBS, CBS and ZDF programmes, including Lucy Worsley Investigates: The American Revolution. She has also contributed to BBC Radio and other broadcast media and was previously a weekly presenter on Resonance FM. Her first book, Patriots, Radicals & Revolutionaries: The British Role in American Independence, explores the British people and places at the heart of the American Revolution and was published by Pen & Sword in 2026.

Leanne has extensive experience of bringing history to public audiences through broadcasting, talks, heritage interpretation, festivals and live events. She has lectured internationally and previously worked as an onboard historian for Holland America Line. She is particularly interested in finding new ways to connect academic history with public engagement, creative practice and the places in which history happened.