St. Thomas More

St. Thomas More

Thomas More was a husband, father and lawyer who served as Lord Chancellor of England.

Life
1478–1535
Canonised
1935

Life and vocation

Born in London, he combined public duties with scholarship and close attention to his children’s education. He resigned as chancellor as Henry VIII asserted control over the Church in England.

Faith in action

Imprisoned for refusing the oath recognising the king’s spiritual supremacy, he was executed in 1535. The Church honours him as a martyr. His life raises enduring questions about conscience, public responsibility and the limits of political power.

For readers in England

This English-language edition serves readers in the United Kingdom; its regional selection and calendar specifically follow England. John Henry Newman and Thomas More provide starting points for exploring that history.

This biography is not a liturgical reading. For the observances in your area, consult the local calendar and your diocese.

Explore the local liturgical calendar →Daily Catholic Quotes →

Sources and further reading

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Image credit

Hans Holbein the Younger · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain. Images resized for this page; social previews are cropped and include text.

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