Thomas More

Thomas More was an English writer, lawyer, and public official who lived from 1478 to 1535. He was born in London, the capital city of England. More lived during the Renaissance, a period when learning, writing, and interest in ancient ideas increased in Europe. He became known for his work in government and for his books written in Latin and English.

More studied law, which is the system of rules used by a country. He became a lawyer and later served in public offices. He worked for the English government and gained a reputation for his clear writing and careful thinking. His skills helped him rise to high positions. In 1529, he became Lord Chancellor. The Lord Chancellor was one of the most important officials in England and advised the king.

Thomas More served King Henry VIII. Henry VIII was the king of England during the early 1500s. At that time, England was changing in religion and government. A major change happened when the king broke away from the Roman Catholic Church. This break meant that the king became the head of the Church in England instead of the pope. Many officials were asked to support this change.

More is also known for his book Utopia, published in 1516. The word utopia comes from Greek and means “no place.” The book describes an imaginary island with its own social and political system. A political system is the way a society organizes its government and laws. In the book, More used this imaginary place to describe ideas about society, work, and government. The book was written in Latin and later translated into other languages.

Thomas More did not agree with all of the religious changes ordered by King Henry VIII. He refused to take an oath, which is a formal promise, that supported the king as head of the Church. Because of this refusal, More was arrested and put on trial. A trial is a legal process where a court decides if a person has broken the law.

In 1535, Thomas More was found guilty of treason. Treason is the crime of acting against one’s ruler or country. He was executed in London. After his death, his writings continued to be read. Thomas More remains a well-known figure in English history because of his roles as a writer, government official, and author of Utopia.