Thomas More was an English humanist, statesman and author. In 1515 he wote Utopia, which looked for a world based on freedom, equality, and reason. He was diplomat, and held various government offices under King Henry VIII. He was imprisoned for refusing to subscribe to the Act of Supremacy. He was beheaded in the ower of London in 1535. Four hundred years later he was canonized by Pope John Paul II who proclaimed him to be the patron saint of politicians.
     A set of three stamps including one map stamp showing England, Scotland, and Ireland, were issued in 1985 to commemorate the 450th anniversary of his death and the 50th anniversary of his canonization. The stamp also has a portrait of More based on Hans Holbein's tumpura on wood painted in 1527.