Skip to main content

Secondary sourceBook1890

The Life of the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas

Pius Cavanaugh · 1890

An 1890 biography of Thomas Aquinas, telling the story of his life as a Dominican friar known as the 'Angelic Doctor.'

An 1890 biography of Thomas's life, written by a fellow Dominican to preserve his memory and teaching.

Ask Saint Thomas Aquinas about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
The Life of the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas
The Life of the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas, by a Father of the Order of Friar Preachers (1890/1881). Scanned book, Internet Archive.

About this source

What it is

This is an 1890 biography of Thomas Aquinas, written by a member of his own religious order, the Dominicans (Order of Friar Preachers). It covers his life story, including his early years.

Why it matters

Biographies like this were written within Thomas's own order to preserve and celebrate his memory, long after his death in the 13th century. They show how later Dominicans saw him as a model for the religious life and as a great teacher of the Church, nicknamed the 'Angelic Doctor.'

Look closer

  • Why might a Dominican friar be especially interested in writing about Thomas's life?
  • What does the formal approval process printed in the book (by other friars and a cardinal) tell you about how such books were checked before publishing?
  • How might a biography written centuries after someone's death differ from one written during their lifetime?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Saint Thomas Aquinas on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Saint Thomas Aquinas sources

Meet the AI Saint Thomas Aquinas →
Title page of a 1596 Venice edition printed by Iuntas, with Latin text announcing two indexes to the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas, and a central ornate oval emblem with a fleur-de-lis and the letters L and A.Book

Primary source

Summa Theologica

Thomas Aquinas · 1274

Oil painting of a bearded monk in a dark black habit, seated at a desk with an open book and a stack of books, gazing upward. A crucifix with a figure of Christ hangs at upper right against a dark background.Painting

Secondary source

St Thomas Aquinas, 17th-century Italian oil painting

17th century

Document

Primary source

Pange Lingua Gloriosi Corporis Mysterium

Thomas Aquinas · 1263

Engraving of a haloed saint kneeling at left, hand raised in refusal, facing a seated pope wearing a tiara and holding a crosier, with mitred bishops and a canopy behind. Latin caption text below.Painting

Secondary source

Thomas Aquinas Refuses the Archbishopric of Naples

1610

Painted altarpiece panel with a gold background. Christ is enthroned at the top within a pointed arch. Below, four evangelist-like figures hold open books. A central monk in black habit holds an open book inscribed with text, surrounded by a dark circle with golden rays. Figures in red and black robes flank him, and a crowd of people with halos and a kneeling figure appear at the bottom.Painting

Secondary source

Triumph of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Lippo Memmi · 1340

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Saint Thomas Aquinas now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions