Sir Thomas More
Sir Thomas More, (1478-1535). English statesman and humanist. He was a scholar of Greek and theology prior to studying law. His best-known literary work, Utopia (1516), describes an ideal state in which there is universal education and religious toleration. In 1529 he rose to the position of Lord Chancellor. However, he felt unable to support Henry VIII’s decision to break away from papal authority in order to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and resigned. His refusal to recognize Henry as the head of the English Church led to his execution. He was canonized in 1935.
