More, Saint Thomas

More, Saint Thomas (1478-1535), statesman, b. London.

Sir Thomas More was a lawyer who became well known as a scholar.

He wrote one of the world's most famous books, Utopia, published in 1516.

Many noted scholars visited his home in Chelsea. He became a Member of Parliament in 1504, was appointed Under-Sheriff of London in 1510, and received a knighthood from Henry VIII in 1521.

In 1529, Henry made More Chancellor of England in place of Cardinal Wolsey. At this time, Henry VIII wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon. More did not support Henry in this, and he resigned from the post of Chancellor in 1532.

Afterwards, he refused to take the oath saying that Henry was head of the Church in England. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1534 and executed in 1535.

Four hundred years later, the Catholic Church gave him the title of saint.