This Source Book brings together classic texts by and about Thomas More—poet, scholar, statesman, family man, educational reformer, philosopher, historian, and saint. Thomas More is the first major figure of the English Renaissance, acclaimed in his own age but surprisingly unstudied in our own.
In addition to serving as an introduction to More's life and writings, this collection is a helpful companion to the study of More's literary and philosophical masterwork, Utopia, and to the study of sixteenth-century history, literature, philosophy, or politics. The writings focus upon More's articulations of education, political theory, church-state relations, love and friendship, practical politics, and the vexing issues of conscience. They shed light on the distinctive Christian humanism that More expressed and embodied. Also included in this book are three famous sixteenth-century accounts of More's life by Erasmus, Roper, and a team of London playwrights including William Shakespeare.
Gerard B. Wegemer is Professor of English at the University of Dallas. An expert on Thomas More, he is the author of numerous works including Thomas More on Statesmanship (1996) and Thomas More: A Portrait of Courage (1995). Stephen W. Smith is Assistant Professor of English at Hillsdale College and is coeditor of Shakespeare's Last Plays: Readings in Literature and Politics (2001).
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
"The editors have captured powerfully and beautifully the essence of the 'man for all seasons.'"—
The Catholic Answer
"This collection (and the website accompaniment) is certainly a good place for those unfamiliar with More to begin their studies. . . ."—Andrew A. Chibi,
Sixteenth Century Journal
"The editors of this text have done an estimable service for Tudor historians and those who teach English Renaissance or English Reformation literature. . . . [A] balanced understanding of a complex, divided personality and a better appreciation of the wide range of More's interests. The editors provide an excellent brief biography of More. . . . Highly recommended. All academic levels/collections."—D.R. Bisson,
Choice
"Gerard B. Wegemer and Stephen W. Smith have edited together into a manageable and highly readable volume, a collection of documents that form an impressive mosaic of the life—political, intellectual, personal, spiritual, and historical—of Sir Thomas More. The book . . . gives a far clearer picture of More than has been heretofore drawn. . . . [I]nstead of a play-by-play account of his life with muddled color commentary, A Thomas More Source Book gives us the coach's secret playbook. . . . The editors pay an artful compliment to Thomas More, who wrote so very often in conscience, by putting together a book designed to elucidate More's own. The book's tone is scholarly, but clear and simple, designed for scholars and statesmen alike. An opening introduction reads as a historical primer, but the source documents are treasures of the Western world. The footnotes throughout are lucid and complete. The volume is replete with pithy marginal summaries and an exhaustive index, which makes it handy for reference."—Matthew T. Mehan, National Review.com
"This anthology is a very valuable collection of works by Sir and Saint Thomas More and of early works about him—certainly unique in the range and depth of its coverage. For those who wish to draw really near to the mind and personality of More, there is no better introduction than this book."—Clarence Miller, Executive Editor of Complete Works of St. Thomas More
"A Thomas More Source Book embodies the Renaissance call ad fontes: to the fountainheads. No likeness of More can be truer than his own works, especially his letters. This selection reflects every facet of More's many-sided personalit
