Thomas More

Thomas More was born on 7 February 1478 in the City of London, England, the son of a respected lawyer and judge. Educated at Oxford and trained in the law, he became a brilliant humanist and writer, best known for his book Utopia, which explored society and political life with moral seriousness. Though he once considered becoming a monk and practiced lifelong ascetic discipline, he chose a lay vocation, marrying and raising a household marked by learning and faith, notably giving his daughters an education rare for the time. More rose to high public office and served King Henry VIII as Lord Chancellor. In an age of upheaval, he defended the unity of the Church and could not accept the king’s break with Rome or acknowledge Henry as supreme head of the Church in England. Refusing the Oath of Supremacy, he was condemned for treason and executed in 1535, witnessing with his life that conscience must serve God first. Canonized as a martyr, he is a patron of statesmen and politicians. His feast day is June 22.