Written by Thomas a’Kempis

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1070, 6 September 1930, Page 17

Written by Thomas a’Kempis

The New Testament, in Latin, on 243 leaves of vellum, is another highly interesting book, for its writer, Thomas a'Kempis, was one of the most famous scribes of the ages, and this is an actual example of his superb craft. It is dated about 1440 A.D. Thomas a'Kempis was born at Kempeu, Cologne, about 1379 or 1380. and died 1471 leaving a name for penmanship that will endure so long as written or printed books remain. He transcribed the whole Bible, a stupendous job. It made four volumes. Besides this, he executed missals, treatises, text books for novices in Church canons, etc. In 1897. Cologne

erected a memorial on which is the inscription: “To the Honour not the memory of Thomas a’Kempis whose name is more enduring than any monument.” His father was an artisan, his mother is supposed io have taught the village school. At 13 years of age Thomas went out into the world hv way of the schools at Deventer, Holland. He is described, aSi’l is depicted in (he Gertruidenburg portrait, as a man of medium height, dark complexioned, with vivid

colouring, broad forehead, and piercing eyes. He early joined the Brothers of the Common Life, who took no vows except that they earned their living, did not beg and placed all their earnings at the disposal of the brotherhood. Eventually' th.e order became more regularised and Thomas was reluctantly made the business head, but he escaped so soon as age gave him the opportunity'. He wrote, and it revealed the man:

“Everywhere I have sought rest and found it nowhere except In little nooks with little books.” His other diversion was his pen.