Sir Thomas More was born in London on 7 February 1478, and was known for his religious stance against King Henry VIII, which cost him his life.
More is best known as the writer of Utopia, which is a satirical account of life on an imaginary island. Gilbert and Sullivan derive the name of the South Sea Isle in their operetta from this book.
In More's book, the interests of the individual are subordinate to society at large, all people must do some work, universal education is practised (Princess Zara in Utopia Limited is educated at Girton College, Cambridge), religious tolerance is observed, and all land is owned in common. These conditions are contrasted with English society, just as in Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta, to the substantial disadvantage of England !
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