Thomas A Kempis 1380-1471Thomas à Kempis, originally Thomas Hemerken, (1379/80-August 8, 1471), was born in Germany. He was a Christian theologian and the writer of Imitatio Christi (Imitation of Christ), a devotional book, which has been viewed as one of the most impactful orks in Christian literature. Around 1392, Thomas went to Deventer, Netherlands, the headquarters of the learned Brethren of the Normal Life, a community dedicated to education and the consideration of poor people. There he studied under the theologian Florentius Radewyns, who in 1387 had established the Congregation of Windesheim. He took his vows in 1408, was appointed in 1413, and gave his life to copying manuscripts and directing novices. His compositions offer possibly the best portrayal of the devotio Moderna, which made religion understandable and practicable for the (modern) mentality arising in the Netherlands at the end of the 14th century. Read More Read Less