Thomas More (1478–1535) was an English lawyer, philosopher, statesman, and humanist scholar best known for his work Utopia, published in 1516. A key figure of the Northern Renaissance, More served as a counselor to King Henry VIII and was appointed Lord Chancellor of England in 1529. He was a devout Catholic and famously opposed the king's separation from the Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England. His refusal to accept Henry VIII as Supreme Head of the Church led to his arrest and execution for treason in 1535. Canonized by the Catholic Church in 1935, Thomas More is remembered both for his moral integrity and his influential writings, particularly Utopia, which coined the term and inspired centuries of debate about ideal societies, justice, and the limits of political power.
In Utopia, Thomas More constructs a fictional society to critique the political, social, and economic flaws of 16th-century Europe. Through a dialogue between fictionalized versions of himself and the traveler Raphael Hythloday, More presents an imagined island where communal ownership, religious tolerance, and rational governance create a harmonious society. By contrasting this utopian vision with the corruption of contemporary European states, More challenges readers to reflect on justice, ine… Read More
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Thomas More (1478–1535) was an English lawyer, philosopher, statesman, and humanist scholar best known for his work Utopia, published in 1516. A key figure of the Northern Renaissance, More served as a counselor to King Henry VIII and was appointed Lord Chancellor of England in 1529. He was a devout Catholic and famously opposed the king's separation from the Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England. His refusal to accept Henry VIII as Supreme Head of the Church led to his arrest and execution for treason in 1535. Canonized by the Catholic Church in 1935, Thomas More is remembered both for his moral integrity and his influential writings, particularly Utopia, which coined the term and inspired centuries of debate about ideal societies, justice, and the limits of political power.
by Thomas More
In Utopia, Thomas More constructs a fictional society to critique the political, social, and economic flaws of 16th-century Europe. Through a dialogue between fictionalized versions of himself and the traveler Raphael Hythloday, More presents an imagined island where communal ownership, religious tolerance, and rational governance create a harmonious society. By contrasting this utopian vision with the corruption of contemporary European states, More challenges readers to reflect on justice, ine… Read More