Aquinas, Thomas (1225-1274)

Italian Dominican Priest and philosophical theologian. He is known, principally, as the author of the Summa Theologiae and in modern times was made official philosopher of the Roman Catholic Church. However, his work continues to be studied by students of philosophy with no special religious interest. He wrote several commentaries on the work of Aristotle, as well as on Proclus, Pseudo-Dionysius and Peter Lombard. His literary achievement was immense, and his impact is second only to Augustine’s. He describes the Summa Theologiae as a textbook for beginners in the Christian faith who required an uncluttered overview of basic Christian truths; though he also insisted that it is our love of God, not our knowledge, which truly matters in life.

He became a friar in the order of preachers in 1244, studied in Paris and Cologne between 1245-52, lectured in Paris 1252-9, in Italy 1259-68, before returning to Paris in 1268 and then moving on to Naples in 1272 to establish a studium (a Catholic house of studies). He was canonised in 1323.

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Contributed by: Richard P Whaite