Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968
Name Entries
person
Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968
Computed Name Heading
Name Components
Surname :
Merton
Forename :
Thomas
Date :
1915-1968
eng
Latn
authorizedForm
rda
Merton, Mary Louis, 1915-1968
Computed Name Heading
Name Components
Surname :
Merton
Forename :
Mary Louis
Date :
1915-1968
eng
Latn
alternativeForm
rda
Merton, M. Louis, 1915-1968
Computed Name Heading
Name Components
Surname :
Merton
Forename :
M. Louis
Date :
1915-1968
eng
Latn
alternativeForm
rda
Genders
Exist Dates
Biographical History
Thomas Merton was born on January 31, 1915 in Prades, France to Owen Merton (an artist from New Zealand) and Ruth Jenkins Merton (an artist from the United States), and grew up in New York, Bermuda, France, and England. Merton studied both in Europe and America, and he received a BA and an MA in journalism from Columbia University in 1938 and 1939.
In 1938, Merton converted to Catholicism. He taught for two years at St. Bonaventure College in New York before entering the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, a community of monks belonging to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists), in 1941. He made his simple vows in 1944, and solemn vows in 1947. He was ordained a priest in 1949 and took the name Father M. Louis. At Gethsemani, Merton served as Master of Scholastics (1951-1955) and Master of Novices (1955-1965), before retreating to a hermitage on the grounds of the abbey in 1965. Merton became a prominent author of both poetry and prose, initially gaining international renown for his 1948 autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain. While maintaining his strict devotional life, he prolifically wrote books and articles on a wide variety of subjects, such as Catholic spirituality, civil rights, literary criticism, monastic renewal, pacifism, and Zen Buddhism.
Merton died suddenly on December 10, 1968, while attending the first Pan-Asian Monastic Conference in Thailand.
eng
Latn
External Related CPF
https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb119157188
https://viaf.org/viaf/54151446
https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q335011
https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n80005353
https://id.loc.gov/authorities/n80005353
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/709
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Languages Used
lat
Latn
eng
Latn
Subjects
American literature
Authors, American
American poetry
Poets, American
Authors and publishers
Catholic authors
Catholics
Christian life
Church and clergy
Contemplation
War
Literature
Monasteries
Monasticism and religious life
Monasticism and religious orders
Monks
Music
Pacifism
Peace movements
Philosophy and religion
Religious poetry
Religious literature
Spirituality
Spiritual life
Trappists
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Nationalities
Activities
Occupations
Authors, American
Poets, American
Authors
Clergy
Monks
Poets
Legal Statuses
Places
Long Island
NY, US
Address
New York City
NY, US
Address
Bermuda
00, BM
Address
Kentucky
KY, US
Address
England
ENG, GB
Address
Republic of France
00, FR
Address
Kingdom of Thailand
00, TH
AssociatedPlace
Death
Cambridge
ENG, GB
Address
Convention Declarations
<conventionDeclaration><citation>VIAF</citation></conventionDeclaration>