Saint Thomas
More (7 February 1478 6 July 1535) was an English lawyer, author, and statesman
who in his lifetime gained a reputation as a leading Renaissance humanist
scholar, and occupied many public offices, including Lord Chancellor
(15291532). More coined the word "utopia", a name he gave to an
ideal, imaginary island nation whose political system he described in the
eponymous book published in 1516. He was beheaded in 1535 when he refused to
sign the Act of Supremacy that declared King Henry VIII Supreme Head of the
Church of England. In 1935, four hundred years after his death, Pope Pius XI
canonized More in the Roman Catholic Church; More was declared Patron Saint of
politicians and statesmen by Pope John Paul II in 1980. 1969 saw the inclusion
of Mores name in the General Roman Calendar, with a Memorial in which he is
venerated with Saint John Fisher on 22 June, the day of the latters death. In
1980, More was added to the Church of Englands calendar of saints, again
jointly with John Fisher, but on July 6, the day of Mores death.
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