Thomas More

Thomas More (1478-1535) was an English statesman, lawyer, author, and Renaissance humanist. Born in London, More was the son of a successful lawyer and educated at St. Anthony's School and later, at Oxford University, where he studied classics and philosophy. After his education, he embarked on a legal career and entered Lincoln's Inn, one of the Inns of Court in London. More gained prominence under the reign of Henry VIII, serving as a counselor and confidant to the king. His ascent in the royal court was rapid; he was knighted and eventually became Lord Chancellor, the highest legal office in England. Despite his political success, he is perhaps best known for his scholarly work, most notably "Utopia" published in 1516. "Utopia" describes a fictional island society and its religious, social, and political customs, and it has come to be seen as an important work of Renaissance political philosophy, satirically exploring the notion of a perfect society. A devout Catholic, More's life took a turn as he opposed Henry VIII's separation from the Catholic Church and his marriage to Anne Boleyn, after the Pope refused to annul Henry's previous marriage to Catherine of Aragon. More's refusal to acknowledge Henry as the Supreme Head of the Church of England led to his arrest and imprisonment in the Tower of London. Thomas More remained steadfast in his faith and convictions. Charged with high treason, he was found guilty on perjured testimony. More was beheaded on July 6, 1535. He went to his death declaring himself "the king's good servant, but God's first." More was canonized by the Catholic Church as a martyr in 1935, and his legacy endures, remembered for his moral integrity, his contributions to literature and humanism, and his ultimate sacrifice.