# Thomas More

> English statesman, lawyer and philosopher (1478–1535)

**Wikidata**: [Q42544](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q42544)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_More)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thomas-more

## Summary
Thomas More was an English statesman, lawyer, and philosopher (1478–1535) best known for his political career under King Henry VIII and his philosophical work *Utopia*, a satirical vision of an ideal society. He served as Lord Chancellor of England and was executed for refusing to accept Henry VIII as the head of the Church of England.

## Biography
- Born: February 7, 1478, in London, England
- Nationality: English
- Education: Lincoln's Inn (legal training)
- Known for: Writing *Utopia* and serving as Lord Chancellor under Henry VIII
- Employer(s): Lincoln's Inn, King Henry VIII
- Field(s): Politics, law, philosophy

## Contributions
- **Utopia (1516)**: More wrote *Utopia*, a satirical novel depicting an ideal society, which influenced later political thought and social critique.
- **Political Career**: Served as Lord Chancellor of England under Henry VIII, advising on legal and religious matters.
- **Legal Work**: Practiced law at Lincoln's Inn and contributed to legal reforms.

## FAQs
**What was Thomas More known for?**
Thomas More was known for his political career as Lord Chancellor of England and his philosophical work *Utopia*, a satirical novel about an ideal society.

**Where did Thomas More study?**
Thomas More studied at Lincoln's Inn, where he received legal training.

**What was Thomas More's role under Henry VIII?**
Thomas More served as Lord Chancellor of England under Henry VIII, advising on legal and religious matters.

**What is Thomas More's most famous work?**
Thomas More's most famous work is *Utopia*, a satirical novel published in 1516.

**Why was Thomas More executed?**
Thomas More was executed in 1535 for refusing to accept Henry VIII as the head of the Church of England.

## Why They Matter
Thomas More's *Utopia* remains a foundational text in political philosophy, influencing later thinkers and social reform movements. His legal and political contributions shaped England's legal system, and his refusal to compromise his principles led to his martyrdom, cementing his legacy as a defender of truth and justice.

## Notable For
- Writing *Utopia*, a seminal work in political philosophy
- Serving as Lord Chancellor of England under Henry VIII
- Being executed for refusing to accept Henry VIII as the head of the Church of England
- Practicing law at Lincoln's Inn
- Influencing later political thought and social critique

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Thomas More was born on February 7, 1478, in London, England. He received his legal training at Lincoln's Inn, one of the four Inns of Court in London, where he studied law and developed his legal expertise.

### Political Career
More served as Lord Chancellor of England under King Henry VIII, a position that allowed him to advise the king on legal and religious matters. His political career was marked by his commitment to justice and his refusal to compromise his principles.

### Philosophical Work
More's most famous work, *Utopia*, was published in 1516. The novel presents a satirical vision of an ideal society, influencing later political thought and social critique. *Utopia* remains a foundational text in political philosophy and has been widely studied and analyzed.

### Legal Contributions
As a lawyer, More practiced at Lincoln's Inn and contributed to legal reforms. His legal expertise and commitment to justice were evident in his work and political career.

### Legacy and Influence
Thomas More's legacy is marked by his philosophical contributions, political career, and martyrdom. His *Utopia* continues to influence political thought and social reform, while his execution for refusing to accept Henry VIII as the head of the Church of England cemented his reputation as a defender of truth and justice. More's influence extends to various fields, including law, politics, and philosophy, making him a significant figure in history.

## References

1. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-More-English-humanist-and-statesman)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Source
4. The Peerage
5. The History of Parliament
6. Genealogics
7. [Source](https://stainedglassmuseum.com/catshow.php?func=pdf&collno=ELYGM:2013.18.14)
8. Library of the World's Best Literature
9. [Source](https://www.chelseaoldchurch.org.uk/history/thomas-more)
10. [Source](http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/moreepitaph.htm)
11. CiNii Research
12. MusicBrainz
13. [Source](https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/6848/thomas-more)
14. [Source](https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/27568996/thomas-more)
15. [Source](http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/morebio.htm)
16. [Source](https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/saint-thomas-more.html)
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. Internet Archive
19. [Source](https://gloria.tv/post/hvM7BKWh7gge1FcwpwCB6kHeT)
20. [Source](https://thomasmooresoul.com/july-6th-thomas-mores-gift-to-the-world/)
21. Commons Creator page
22. Virtual International Authority File
23. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index12.html)
24. CONOR.SI
25. BnF authorities
26. [Find a Grave](https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/27568996/thomas-more)
27. Autoritats UB
28. BBC Things
29. [Source](https://www.worldhistory.org/trans/es/1-18889/tomas-moro/)
30. [Source](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/fr/motu_proprio/documents/hf_jp-ii_motu-proprio_20001031_thomas-more.html)
31. [Source](https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/st-thomas-more-patron-of-statesmen-pope-john-paul-ii/)
32. Goodreads
33. Répertoire analytique et chronologique de la correspondance de Guillaume Budé
34. Contemporaries of Erasmus (vol. 2)
35. Early Modern Letters Online
36. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
37. Quora
38. Dizionario di Storia
39. Treccani Philosophy
40. KBpedia
41. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
42. Digital Scriptorium Catalog