Thomas Aquinas: Life Story, Bio and Facts
Who is Thomas Aquinas?
Thomas Aquinas was a Catholic priest, theologian, and philosopher in the 13th century. He is considered one of the greatest thinkers in the history of the Catholic Church and is known for his synthesis of faith and reason. He was born in Italy in 1225, and at the age of five, he was sent to the Kingdom of Naples to be educated by the Benedictine monks.
Aquinas studied at the University of Naples and then at the University of Paris, where he became a master of theology. He then studied under the guidance of the Dominican Order, and he was ordained a priest in 1250. He began teaching in various universities, including the University of Paris, the University of Cologne, and the University of Rome.
Aquinas's greatest work is the "Summa Theologiae," a comprehensive summary of Christian theology and philosophy. In this work, he attempted to reconcile the teachings of the Catholic Church with the ideas of the ancient philosophers, particularly Aristotle. He also wrote several other works, including "Disputed Questions on Truth," "Disputed Questions on the Power of God," and "Commentary on the Sentences of Peter Lombard."
Aquinas's work had a profound impact on the Catholic Church, and his ideas continue to be studied and discussed today. He is honored as a saint by the Catholic Church, and is known as the "Angelic Doctor" and the "Prince of Scholastics." He died in 1274.
Thomas Aquinas Fast Facts
Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 7 March 1274) was an Italian Dominican friar, Catholic priest, and Doctor of the Church. He was an immensely influential philosopher, theologian, and jurist in the tradition of scholasticism, within which he is also known as the "Doctor Angelicus" and "Doctor Communis."
* Aquinas was born in the Kingdom of Sicily, and was educated at the University of Naples and the University of Paris.
* He joined the Dominican Order in 1244, and became a professor at the University of Paris in 1252.
* His most famous work is the "Summa Theologica," a comprehensive summary of theology and a masterpiece of medieval scholasticism.
* Aquinas developed a synthesis of Christian theology and Aristotelian philosophy, which became known as Thomism. He believed that faith and reason are not in conflict, but rather complement each other, and that reason can lead to the understanding of the truths of faith.
* He also wrote commentaries on the Bible, and his work had a major influence on the development of the Catholic Church's doctrines and teachings.
* He was canonized by Pope John XXII in 1323 and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius V in 1567.
* He died on 7 March 1274 while he was writing his "Summa Theologica" and is buried in the church of the Dominican convent of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, in Rome.
* Thomas Aquinas is considered one of the greatest minds in the history of Western civilization and his works continue to be studied and taught in many universities around the world.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
