The son of a noble southern Italian family, Tommaso d’Aquino (1225-1274) was born in a castle near the town of Aquino in south-central Italy. He studied at the Benedictine abbey of Monte Cassino and the University of Naples, then decided to enter the Dominican order as a monk despite his family’s disapproval. He was ordained a priest, continued his studies at the University of Paris and became a professor there at the age of 30. The remainder of his life was devoted to teaching at various institutions in Paris and Italy, writing theological and philosophical works, and advising various kings and popes. He died at the early age of 49 while on his way to a church council, having had a physical breakdown due to overwork. Aquinas was canonized as a saint in 1323.

During Aquinas’ lifetime, Western Europe was rediscovering Greek philosopher Aristotle thanks to the Arab scholars translating his works. Aquinas came along at just the right time to benefit from and contribute to this movement. In his Summa Contra Gentiles, Summa Theologica and other works, he showed that faith and reason were compatible, and that philosophy and theology could inform and influence each other. With his unique intellectual gifts, Aquinas fleshed out Christian teachings using the philosophical heritage of Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and the Church Fathers.