Sir Thomas More
- Born:
- February 7, 1478, London, England
- Died:
- July 6, 1535, London, England
- Nationality:
- English
- Profession(s):
- Lawyer, Philosopher, Author, Statesman
Early Life and Education
- Educated at St. Anthony's School, London.
- Served as a page in the household of John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury.
- Studied at Canterbury College (now Christ Church), Oxford, but left without a degree at his father's insistence to pursue law.
- Trained in law at New Inn and Lincoln's Inn.
Career and Major Achievements
- Became a barrister and gained a reputation for integrity.
- Served as a Member of Parliament from 1504.
- Appointed undersheriff of London in 1510.
- Served as a royal counsellor to King Henry VIII.
- Knighted in 1521.
- Elected Speaker of the House of Commons in 1523.
- Appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in 1525.
- Succeeded Cardinal Wolsey as Lord Chancellor of England in 1529.
- Resigned as Lord Chancellor in 1532 due to his opposition to Henry VIII's divorce and the Act of Supremacy.
- Imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1534 for refusing to swear the Oath of Supremacy.
- Convicted of treason and executed in 1535.
- Canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1935.
Notable Works
- Utopia (1516), his most famous work, a philosophical romance.
- History of King Richard III (c. 1513-1518), an unfinished biography.
- Numerous theological and polemical works in defense of Catholic orthodoxy.
Legacy and Impact
Sir Thomas More remains a significant figure in history and literature. His principled stand against the English Reformation and his writings, particularly Utopia, have cemented his legacy as a man of conscience, a humanist, and a social critic. The examination of the life of Sir Thomas More continues to inspire debate and admiration.