Thomas Merton - Bio, Age, Chinese Zodiac Sign & Timeline
| Born | January 31, 1915 |
|---|---|
| Died | December 10, 1968 (age 53) |
| Birthplace | Prades, Pyrénées-Orientales, France |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius - (see also Thomas Merton's horoscope and birth chart) |
| Chinese Zodiac | Tiger |
| Generation | Greatest Generation |
| Known For | Author of 'The Seven Storey Mountain', contributions to Christian mysticism, interfaith dialogue, and social activism. |
Intro
Thomas Merton was an American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, mystic, and poet, renowned for his influential writings on spirituality, social justice, and interfaith dialogue. His autobiography, 'The Seven Storey Mountain,' is considered a spiritual classic and played a significant role in bringing monastic spirituality to a wider public.
Early Life & Background
Thomas Merton was born to artist parents; his father was New Zealand painter Owen Merton and his mother was American artist Ruth Jenkins. His early life was marked by travel and familial loss, including the death of his mother when he was six. Merton was educated in France, England, and the United States, eventually attending Columbia University in New York.
Career Highlights
- Published 'The Seven Storey Mountain' (1948), an influential spiritual autobiography.
- Entered the Abbey of Gethsemani, becoming a Trappist monk (1941).
- Wrote extensively on contemplation, prayer, and Christian mysticism, including 'New Seeds of Contemplation' and 'No Man is an Island'.
- Advocated for civil rights, nonviolence, and interfaith understanding, particularly between Christianity and Buddhism.
- Corresponded with global spiritual leaders such as the Dalai Lama and Thích Nhất Hạnh.
Trivia
- Merton died accidentally in Bangkok, Thailand, reportedly due to accidental electrocution in 1968.
- 'The Seven Storey Mountain' became a bestseller and inspired many Americans to join monastic orders.
- He is regarded as one of the most significant Catholic writers of the 20th century.
FAQs
People also ask
Thomas Merton was born the 31 January 1915.
Prades, Pyrénées-Orientales, France.
On His Birth-Day
About January 31st, 1915, in brief:
- Historical events: Alan Lomax, an American ethnomusicologist and folklorist, was born in Austin, Texas, on January 31, 1915. He is renowned for his extensive field recordings of folk music and his contributions to preserving various musical traditions.
- Day of the week: January 31st, 1915 was a Sunday
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius (in western zodiac), Tiger (in Chinese zodiac)
- Moon Phase:
- #1 US song: He's a Rag Picker by Peerless Quartet
- Popular movie: directed by D.W. Griffith
Check the link for more news and curiosities on January 31st, 1915.