Sir Thomas More
(1478-1535), Lord Chancellor; classical scholar; author of 'Utopia'; saint; canonised 1935Sitter associated with 54 portraits
Humanist scholar and author of Utopia, which aimed to encourage the reform of English politics. The dialogues satirised European society and included the famous description of the newly discovered island of Utopia - a name derived from the Greek for 'nowhere'. The argument that statesmen need to adopt an indirect approach in order to steer policy, in a manner 'that adapts itself to the play in hand', is one of the defining precepts of humanist political philosophy. More became Henry VIII's Lord Chancellor in 1529. He opposed the King's divorce from Katherine of Aragon and refused to take the Oath of Supremacy, which acknowledged Henry as head of the Church of England. He was executed for treason in 1535 and canonised by the Catholic Church in 1935.
by Samuel Taylor, after Hans Holbein the Younger
mezzotint, circa 1736 (circa 1525-1550)
NPG D19004
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1741
NPG D39003
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1741
NPG D39004
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1741
NPG D39008
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1741 (1740)
NPG D42916
after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1748
NPG D24315
by Richard Dalton, after Hans Holbein the Younger
hand-coloured etching, circa 1750-1775
NPG D13912
by Charles Grignion, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, 1757
NPG D24311
by Thomas Cook, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, probably late 18th-early 19th century
NPG D24309
published by Christian von Mechel
line engraving, late 18th century
NPG D39013
Familia Thomæ Mori Angl:cancell:
by and published by Christian von Mechel, after Hans Holbein the Younger
etching, 1787 (1530)
NPG D24318
Familia Thomæ Mori Angl:cancell:
by and published by Christian von Mechel, after Hans Holbein the Younger
etching, 1787 (1530)
NPG D39015
by Thomas Holloway
line engraving, published 1792
NPG D39006
by Christian von Mechel, after Hans Holbein the Younger
aquatint, 1794
NPG D19085
by Richard Woodman
stipple engraving, probably early to mid 19th century
NPG D24317
Sir Thomas More and his Family
by F. Strickland
pen and ink, probably 19th century
NPG D1
by Unknown artist
watercolour with bodycolour and gold paint, 19th century
NPG D6517
by George Perfect Harding
pen and ink and wash, 1802-1853
NPG D6516
attributed to Thomas Athow, after Hans Holbein the Younger
watercolour, early 19th century
NPG D23246
by Henry Bone, after Hans Holbein the Younger
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, July 1813 (1527)
NPG D17483
Related People
- Margaret Clements (née Giggs) (daughter)
- Elizabeth Dauncey (née More) (daughter)
- Cecily Heron (née More) (daughter)
- Alice More (née Middleton) (wife)
- Anne More (née Cresacre) (daughter)
- Sir John More (father)
- John More (son)
- Thomas More II (grandson)
- Margaret Roper (daughter)
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