Preceden

The Life of Thomas Merton

Main

born in Prades, France to Owen Merton and Ruth Jenkins

January 31, 1915

moved to USA, lived at Douglaston, L.I.

1916

his mother dies-from cancer

1921

moves Oakham, England

1928

his father dies of a brain tumor

1931

entered Cambridge in the fall - study of modern languages (French and Italian)

1933

left Cambridge and returned to USA

1934

entered Columbia University

1935

graduated from Columbia, began work on M.A.

1938

received into the Catholic Church at Corpus Christi Church

November 16, 1938

taught English at St. Bonaventure College

1940

entered the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, Trappist, Kentucky.

December 10, 1941

made simple vows, published first work, "Thirty Poems"

March 19, 1944

published "A Man in the Divided Sea"

1946

solemn vows, published "Exile Ends in Glory"

1947

Publication of best-seller autobiography, "The Seven Storey Mountain"

1948

ordained priest

May 26, 1949

publishes "The sign of Jonas; Bread in the Wilderness"

1953

Master of Scholastics (students for priesthood)

1955

publishes "The Living Bread"

1956

publishes "Thoughts in Solitude"

1958

publishes "Emblems of a Season of Fury; Life and Holiness"

1961

publishes "Seeds of Destruction"

1964

lived as a hermit on the grounds of the monastery

1965

Master of Novices

1965

publishes "Mystics and Zen Masters"

1967

died at Bangkok, Thailand

December 10, 1968