Santo Tomás de Aquino was a medieval philosopher and theologian born in 1225 in Italy. He is best known for his works that combined Christian theology with Aristotelian philosophy, particularly in his most famous work, the Summa Theologica. His ideas laid the foundation for much of Western thought and influenced many later philosophers and theologians. Aquino was a member of the Order of Saint Dominic and spent much of his life teaching and writing. He emphasized the use of reason in understanding faith, arguing that both could coexist harmoniously. His contributions to philosophy and theology earned him the title of Doctor of the Church.