Thomas More
Born in Lambeth, LondonBorn on 7th of February 1478
Died in London
Died on 6th of July 1535
Quotes from Thomas More
''Tis the last rose of summer L'... More
Sir Thomas More, saint, scholar and statesman, was born in London on February 17, 1478. His father, Sir John More, was a prominent judge and Thomas accordingly went on to study law. In 1501, after his time at Oxford University, More became a barrister. Although successful the devout More seriously contemplated giving up his legal career to become a monk. This, however, was not an option after his marriage in 1505, and the four children he had with his first wife. More remarried shortly after her death in 1511.
Aged 26 More became a Member of Parliament and thus began his ultimately fateful political career. More was made a high court judge in 1510, the same year that one of his first literary works appeared: a translation of a Latin biography of Pico della Mirandola. More’s masterpiece “Utopia” (1516) is a philosophical critique of the perfect society; his philosophical and devotional writings are also well regarded, less so his polemics against Luther.
More’s renowned integrity as a public servant gained him high office. He entered the king’s service, becoming privy councilor in 1518. As Henry VIII’s secretary and advisor he became increasingly influential. Knighted in 1521 Sir Thomas More’s rise continued: 1532 Speaker of the House of Commons; 1525 Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; and in 1529 Lord Chancellor. However, he was to resign after only one month as he could not support Henry’s political maneuverings against the church. Imprisoned in the Tower of London More refused to acknowledge Henry VIII as Supreme Head of the Church in England. For this he was executed on July 6 1535. Thomas More was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1935.
Buried here
Links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/more_sir_thomas.sh BBC Profile
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