Merton, Thomas

(1915–68)

   Mystic and Devotional Writer.

   Merton was born in Prades, France, of a New Zealand mother and an American father. He was educated at Columbia University in the United States of America and, as a student, he converted to Roman Catholicism. Subsequently he entered the Trappist monastery of Our Lady of Gethsemane in Kentucky. He was the author of a large number of devotional works including his autobiography, Elected Silence, which made a huge impact. In his writings, Merton addressed the pressing social issues of the day as well as describing his own path to the realisation of a loving union with Jesus Christ. Towards the end of his life, he became interested in Zen Buddhism and Eastern spirituality. Merton’s writings have proved very popular and have led many ordinary Christians to the mystical path.

   Thomas Merton, The Asian Journeys of Thomas Merton (1973);

   M. Furlong, Merton: A Biography (1995).