Thomas Aquinas

c. 1225 – 7 March 1274

Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225-1274) was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, and theologian whose synthesis of Aristotelian philosophy and Christian doctrine became foundational for Catholic theology. His unfinished masterwork, the Summa Theologiae, remains one of the most influential texts in Western thought. He was canonized in 1323 and named a Doctor of the Church.

Comparing
Compare

Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Thomas Aquinas.

Life events

Born at Roccasecca in the Kingdom of Sicily
c. 1225

Thomas was born in the family castle at Roccasecca, near Aquino, into the noble family of the counts of Aquino.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Sent as an oblate to the Benedictine abbey of Monte Cassino
c. 1230

At about age five Thomas began his early education at Monte Cassino, where his family hoped he would one day become abbot.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Studied at the University of Naples
1239

Thomas studied liberal arts at the studium generale in Naples, where he first encountered the works of Aristotle and the Dominican order.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Joined the Dominican Order and was detained by his family
1244 – c. 1245

Thomas entered the Order of Preachers against his family's wishes; his brothers seized him and held him at the family castle for about a year before he was allowed to rejoin the order.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Studied under Albertus Magnus in Paris and Cologne
1245 – c. 1252

Thomas became a student of Albertus Magnus, following him from the University of Paris to the new Dominican studium generale in Cologne.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Became regent master of theology at the University of Paris
1256

Thomas was appointed to one of the Dominican chairs of theology at Paris, beginning his career as a university master.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Began writing the Summa Theologiae
c. 1265

While serving in Rome, Thomas began his systematic summary of theology intended for the instruction of beginners, which he worked on for the rest of his life.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Abandoned writing after a mystical experience
6 December 1273

After an experience during Mass in Naples on 6 December 1273, Thomas ceased writing, reportedly saying that all he had written seemed like straw compared with what had been revealed to him.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Personal ✓
Died at the Cistercian abbey of Fossanova
7 March 1274

Traveling to the Second Council of Lyon, Thomas fell ill and died at the abbey of Fossanova, leaving the Summa Theologiae unfinished.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓