Thomas Merton

American Trappist monk (1915–1968) The ReverendThomas MertonOCSOBorn(1915-01-31)January 31, 1915Prades, Pyrénées-Orientales, FranceDiedDecember 10, 1968(1968-12-10) (aged 53)Mueang Samut Prakan, ThailandCitizenshipUnited StatesEducationColumbia UniversityOccupationsTrappist monkauthorReligionChristianity (Roman Catholic)ChurchLatin ChurchOrdainedMay 26, 1949(1949-05-26) (aged 34)WritingsThe Seven Storey Mountain (1948) Thomas Merton (January 31, 1915 – December 10, 1968), religious name M. Louis, was an American Trappist monk, theologian, mystic, poet, and social activist. He was a professed member of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, near Bardstown, Kentucky, living there from 1941 to his death. Merton wrote more than 50 books in a period of 27 years, mostly on spirituality, social justice, and pacifism, as well as scores of essays and reviews. Among Merton's most widely-read works is his bestselling autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain (1948). Merton was a keen proponent of interfaith understanding, exploring Eastern religions through study and practice. He pioneered dialogue with prominent Asian spiritual figures. Early life Thomas Merton was born in Prades, Pyréné