Thomas More

Awarded the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1935, Raymond Chambers’s acclaimed biography of Saint Thomas More remains one of the most distinguished accounts of this significant figure in English history. Chambers traces More’s journey from his early life in late 15th-century England, through his rise in Parliament and the British social hierarchy, ultimately leading to his appointment as Lord Chancellor in 1529. The events that followed this appointment are well known: in the face of a profound conflict between King Henry VIII and Pope Clement VII, More was forced to choose between his allegiance to his king and his faith. Choosing the latter, he was ultimately executed in 1535.

Although the story of Thomas More has been recounted in numerous ways, few versions capture his character as vividly and accessibly as Chambers's. Through rich detail and insightful narrative, Chambers offers a compelling portrait of one of history's most remarkable political and spiritual leaders.