Origins & Early Life

Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380 – 1 May 1471; German: Thomas von Kempen; Dutch: Thomas van Kempen) was a German-Dutch Catholic canon regular of the Augustinians and the author of The Imitation of Christ, one of the best known Christian devotional books. His name means "Thomas of Kempen", Kempen, Germany, being his home town. He was a member of the Congregation of Windesheim, which was part of the Modern Devotion, a reform movement during the late medieval period.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Therein, he was a follower of Geert Groote and Florens Radewyns, the founders of the Brethren of the Common Life, of which the Windesheim Augustinians were an offshoot. Thomas was born in Kempen in the Rhineland. His surname at birth was Hemerken (or Hammerlein, Latinized as Malleolus). His father, Johann, was a blacksmith, and his mother, Gertrud, was a schoolmistress. In his writings he signed himself "Thomas Kempensis" or "Thomas Kempis".

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1392, Thomas followed his brother, Johann, to Deventer in the Netherlands in order to attend the noted Latin school there. While attending this school, Thomas encountered the Brethren of the Common Life, followers of Gerard Groote's Modern Devotion. He attended school in Deventer...

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