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Thomas More

Political Philosophy

Sir Thomas More, born 7 February 1478 and died 6 July 1535, venerated in the Catholic Church as a martyr and saint, was an English lawyer, judge, social philosopher, author, statesman, theologian and Renaissance humanist who served Henry VIII as Lord Chancellor from October 1529 to May 1532. He wrote Utopia, published in 1516, describing the political system of an imaginary island state, and opposed the Protestant Reformation, directing polemics against the theology of Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli and William Tyndale. More also opposed Henry VIII's separation from the Catholic Church, refusing to acknowledge Henry as supreme head of the Church of England or to accept the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon; after refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy, he was convicted of treason on what he stated was false evidence and executed, reportedly saying at his execution, "I die the King's good servant, and God's first." Pope Pius XI canonised More in 1935 as a martyr, and Pope John Paul II declared him the patron saint of statesmen and politicians in 2000.

Facts
Birth YearSourced to the subject's own account
1478 1
Defining MomentSourced to the subject's own account
Refused to take the Oath of Supremacy acknowledging Henry VIII as head of the Church of England, was convicted of treason, and was executed in 1535. 1
Birth DateSourced to the subject's own account
1478-02-07 1
Notable PublicationSourced to the subject's own account
Utopia 1
Office HeldSourced to the subject's own account
Lord Chancellor of England 1
Death YearSourced to the subject's own account
1535 1
Death DateSourced to the subject's own account
1535-07-06 1
BirthplaceSourced to the subject's own account
City of London 1
Death PlaceSourced to the subject's own account
Tower Hill, London 1
TraditionSourced to the subject's own account
Renaissance humanism 1
Classification
NationalitySourced to the subject's own account
United Kingdom 1
In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Thomas More (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia
  • Early life section
    Born in the City of London, on 7 February 1478, Thomas More was the son of Sir John More
  • Execution section
    The execution took place on 6 July 1535 at Tower Hill.
  • lead paragraph 2
    After refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy, More was convicted of treason on what he stated was false evidence, and was executed.
  • lead paragraph 1, birth-death clause
    7 February 1478-6 July 1535), venerated in the Catholic Church as a martyr and saint, was an English lawyer, judge, social philosopher, author, statesman, theologian and Renaissance humanist.
  • lead paragraph 1, humanist clause
    was an English lawyer, judge, social philosopher, author, statesman, theologian and Renaissance humanist.
  • lead paragraph 1, Lord Chancellor clause
    He also served Henry VIII as Lord Chancellor from October 1529 to May 1532.
  • lead paragraph 1, Utopia clause
    He wrote Utopia, published in 1516, which describes the political system of an imaginary island state.
  • lead paragraph 1
    7 February 1478-6 July 1535), venerated in the Catholic Church as a martyr and saint, was an English lawyer, judge, social philosopher, author, statesman, theologian and Renaissance humanist.
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