St. Thomas More (1478-1535) was an English lawyer, philosopher, and statesman, best known for his book, Utopia, which describes an ideal society. He served as Lord Chancellor under King Henry VIII and was a prominent figure in the Renaissance, advocating for education and social reform. More is also recognized for his strong moral convictions, particularly regarding Catholicism. He opposed Henry VIII's separation from the Catholic Church and refused to accept the king as the Supreme Head of the Church of England. This led to his imprisonment and eventual execution, making him a martyr and a saint in the Catholic Church.