Thomas a'Kempis, nee Thomas Hemerken (little hammer), was born in Kempen, Germany, around 1380. His brother, Jan became the first Prior of of Mount St Agnes Monastery. In 1392 Thomas followed Jan to Deventer to attend the Latin school under Prior Florentius Radewyns, one of the founders of the Brethren of the Common Life, and mentor to Thomas. Prior Radewyns was the successor of Gerard Groote, the Founder of the Modern Devotion. Thomas became a monk at Mount St. Agnes in 1406, receiving priestly orders in 1413. During his life at the monastery, Thomas held several positions, including Novice Master, Sub-prior and Scriptorium Keeper. As Novice Master, Thomas spent much of his time instructing those newly admitted to the monastery, as well as overseeing the Scriptorium and Library. During this time The Imitation began to take shape, citing Scripture directly or by allusion at every turn of the page (Thomas copied the Bible at least four times). The original text was rendered in Latin verse. Thomas died in 1471, is rumored to have been buried alive, and his remains are in the Church of The Assumption of Mary, in Zwolle, NL.
