Saint Thomas Aquinas was a 13th-century Italian philosopher and theologian, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Western philosophy. He is best known for his works that combine Christian theology with Aristotelian philosophy, particularly in his seminal text, the Summa Theologica. Aquinas sought to explain the relationship between faith and reason, arguing that both could coexist harmoniously. Aquinas was born in 1225 in the Kingdom of Sicily and became a member of the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominicans. His teachings have had a lasting impact on Christian thought and are still studied in seminaries and universities today. He was canonized as a saint in 1323 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1567.