1. Sir Thomas More ( )

2. Biography
English lawyer, author, social philosopher, statesman, humanist.
Opponent of Protestant Reformation.
Advisor to King Henry VIII; opposed annulment of Henry’s marriage and separation from Catholic Church.
Tried for treason, imprisoned and beheaded.
Sainthood.

3. Utopia Novel written in Latin; published in 1516.
Utopia = from Greek ou-topos (no place) or eu-topos (good place).
Fictional traveler Raphael Hythlodeaus travels to imaginary island nation of Utopia; describes political system.

4. Utopia (cont.)
Order in Utopia contrasts with social disorder in England in More’s time.
Order created by: communal ownership of land, education for men and women, and religious toleration.
Need for order vs. liberty.
Beliefs as a humanist and political duties come into conflict.