He was one of the most important Catholic writers of the 20th century. His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, has sold over one million copies and has been translated into over fifteen languages. Dec 6, 2025 · Thomas Merton was a Roman Catholic monk, poet, and prolific writer on spiritual and social themes. Among Merton's most widely-read works is his bestselling autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain (1948). May 8, 2024 · Thomas Merton was a prolific author, Roman Catholic monk, social critic, and poet. Learn more about his life, conversion, writings, and legacy. Many called him “one of the twentieth century’s most influential spiritual leaders. Merton wrote more than 50 books in a period of 27 years, mostly on spirituality, social justice, and pacifism, as well as scores of essays and reviews. ” Many esteem Thomas Merton as a spiritual master, a brilliant writer, and a man who embodied the quest for God and for human solidarity. As his birthday (January 31) approaches, here are three of his ideas, each a piece of his prose laid out here as a poem for your reading pleasure: It brings out so well the paradoxical character of Merton, the monk, poet, peace activist, and spiritual writer who influenced the lives of so many during his short life.