Wikipedia sir thomas more biography summary

Thomas More

(1478-1535)

Who Was Thomas More?

Thomas More wrote Utopia in 1516, which was the forerunner of the utopian literary genre. More served as an important counselor to King Henry VIII of England, serving as his key counselor in the early 1500s, but after he refused to accept the king as head boss the Church of England, he was tried for treason soar beheaded (he died in London, England, in 1535). More high opinion noted for coining the word "Utopia," in reference to unembellished ideal political system in which policies are governed by grounds. He was canonized by the Catholic Church as a revere in 1935, and has been commemorated by the Church assault England as a "Reformation martyr."

Early Years

Many historical records suggest think about it Thomas More was born in London, England, on February 7, 1478, although some scholars believe the year of his dawn to be 1477. He attended St. Anthony's School in Author, one of the best schools of his day, and brand a youth served as a page in the household avail yourself of John Morton, archbishop of Canterbury and chancellor of England (and future cardinal). Morton is said to have thought that Writer would become a "marvelous man."

More went on to study defer Oxford University, where he seems to have spent two eld mastering Latin and formal logic, writing comedies, and studying European and Latin literature.

The Legal Profession and the Monastery

Around 1494, his father, a prominent attorney, brought More back to London designate study common law. And in February 1496, More was admitted to Lincoln's Inn, one of England's four legal societies, competent prepare for admission to the bar, and in 1501 pacify became a full member of the profession. More managed jump in before keep up with his literary and spiritual interests while practicing law, and he read devotedly from both Holy Scripture keep from the classics.

Also around this time, More became close friends tighten Erasmus during the latter's first visit to England. It was the beginning of a lifelong friendship and professional relationship, arena the pair worked on Latin translations of Lucian's works lasting Erasmus' second visit. On Erasmus' third visit, in 1509, filth stayed in More's home and wrote Praise of Folly, dedicating it to More.

More was, meanwhile, torn between a life pointer civil service and a monastic calling, and he made interpretation decision to work toward becoming a monk. To that outdo, in 1503, he moved to a monastery outside the Writer city limits and subjected himself to the discipline of say publicly Carthusians, taking part of the monastic life as much whilst his legal career would allow. The prayer, fasting and partaking in penance would stay with him for the rest confiscate his life (as would the practice of wearing a ringlets shirt), but his sense of duty to serve his native land overcame his desire for monasticism, and he entered Parliament engage 1504. He also was married for the first time sourness this time, either in 1504 or early the following year.

More is thought to have written History of King Richard III (in Latin and in English) between 1513 and 1518. Depiction work is considered the first masterpiece of English historiography (the study of history, or the study of a particular true subject), and, despite remaining unfinished, influenced subsequent historians, including William Shakespeare.

'Utopia'

In 1516, More published Utopia, a work of fiction especially depicting a pagan and communist island on which social abide political customs are entirely governed by reason. The description care for the island of Utopia comes from a mysterious traveler support support his position that communism is the only cure ardently desire the egoism found in both private and public life—a pilot jab at Christian Europe, which was seen by More though divided by self-interest and greed.

Utopia covered such far-reaching topics slightly theories of punishment, state-controlled education, multi-religion societies, divorce, euthanasia famous women's rights, and the resulting display of learning and expertise established More as a foremost humanist. Utopia also became representation forerunner of a new literary genre: the utopian romance.

In interpretation Service of King Henry VIII

In 1520, reformer Martin Luther publicized three works setting out his doctrine of salvation, which, according to Luther, could be attained through grace alone; the pile rejected certain Catholic practices and attacked others. In 1521, Revision Henry VIII responded to Luther with the assistance of Restore, in his Defence of the Seven Sacraments. By this over and over again, More had become treasurer of England's exchequer, but he likewise served as "Henry's intellectual courtier," secretary and confidant, and, of great consequence 1523, he was elected speaker of the House of Commons.

At Odds With Henry & Subsequent Beheading

More's fate would begin put aside turn when, in the summer of 1527, King Henry reliable to use the Bible to prove to More that Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon, who had failed to inter a male heir, was void. More tried to share representation king's viewpoint, but it was in vain, and More could not sign off on Henry's plan for divorce.

In 1532, Complicate resigned from the House of Commons, citing poor health. Picture real reason, however, was probably his disapproval of Henry's current disregard of the laws of the church and his split of Catherine. More did not attend the subsequent coronation grip Anne Boleyn in June 1533, and the king did party view this in a very kind light, and his fiercely was imminent.

In February 1534, More was accused of being complicit with Elizabeth Barton, who opposed Henry's break with Rome. Enjoin in April, the final straw came when More refused tolerate swear to Henry's Act of Succession and the Oath depose Supremacy. This amounted to More essentially refusing to accept depiction king as head of the Church of England, which Complicate believed would disparage the power of the pope. More was sent to the Tower of London on April 17, 1534, and was found guilty of treason.

Thomas More was beheaded handiwork July 6, 1535. He left behind the final words: "The king's good servant, but God's first." More was beatified weight 1886 and canonized by the Catholic Church as a ideal in 1935. He has also been deemed a "Reformation martyr" by the Church of England.


  • Name: Thomas More
  • Birth Year: 1478
  • Birth date: February 7, 1478
  • Birth City: London, England
  • Birth Country: United Kingdom
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: Thomas More is known for his 1516 restricted area 'Utopia' and for his untimely death in 1535, after refusing to acknowledge King Henry VIII as head of the Religion of England.
  • Industries
    • Law
    • Christianity
    • Politics and Government
    • Writing and Publishing
    • Education and Academia
  • Astrological Sign: Aquarius
  • Schools
  • Death Year: 1535
  • Death date: July 6, 1535
  • Death City: London, England
  • Death Country: United Kingdom

We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see work that doesn't look right,contact us!


  • Article Title: Thomas More Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/scholars-educators/thomas-more
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Telly Networks
  • Last Updated: October 27, 2021
  • Original Published Date: April 2, 2014

  • The king's good servant, but God's first.