Thomas More:
Early Life:
Born: February 7, 1478, in London, England.
Parents: Sir John More (a successful lawyer and judge) and Agnes Graunger.
Education: Attended St. Anthony’s School, one of London’s best schools. Studied at the
University of Oxford.
Career:
Legal Career: Admitted to Lincoln’s Inn in 1496; became a full member of the legal
profession in 1501.
Public Service: Served as an undersheriff of London (1510–18), Speaker of the House of
Commons (1523), and Lord Chancellor of England (1529–32).
Literary Works: Authored “Utopia” (1516), a book describing an ideal society.
Personal Life:
Marriages: Married Jane Colt in 1505 (died 1511); later married Alice Middleton .
Children: Had four children - Margaret, Elizabeth, Cecily, and John.
Beliefs and Conflict:
Religious Views: Devout Catholic; opposed the Protestant Reformation.
Conflict with Henry VIII: Refused to acknowledge Henry VIII as the head of the Church of
England and opposed the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
Execution: Convicted of treason and executed on July 6, 1535. Canonized as a saint by the
Roman Catholic Church in 1935.
Legacy:
Canonization: Recognized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church; feast day on June 22.
Patron Saint: Declared the patron saint of statesmen and politicians by Pope John Paul II in
2000.
