Dr. Stephen Smith on Educating Leaders with Thomas More

Does a talented person have a duty to serve others? What do leading citizens really need to live well, freely, impactfully—even greatly? How do we, parents and educators, order the educational goods?

"When I think of Thomas More's life, writings, and example, I think: here are the materials we need to answer those questions."

So says Dr. Stephen Smith, professor at Hillsdale College and co-director for the Center for Thomas More Studies. St. Thomas More not only provided a robust theory of education and duty in his writings, but also a praxis of that education by his heroic actions at the Tower of London in 1535. Dr. Smith joins us this week to discuss how More's life and education can be a pattern for our one-day leading citizens.

Chapters:

2:32 The living image of a great man

8:49 More's philosophy of learning

12:50 Virtue in the first place

16:25 Love of good advice

18:48 Leading citizenship: skill and integrity

24:51 Pride as the enemy

29:32 On modern times: "Do not abandon the ship"

35:14 Mentorship: time and attention

46:39 Hope and humor

54:21 Thomas More as a father

Links:

The Center for Thomas More Studies, featuring video courses, teaching resources, and the written works of Thomas More

The Last Riddle: Advice on Living and Dying Well by Stephen Smith, pre-order for June 2026

The Essential Works of Thomas More edited by Gerard Wegemer and Stephen Smith

A Thomas More Sourcebook edited by Gerard Wegemer and Stephen Smith

On Duties by Cicero

Thomas More: A Portrait of Courage by Gerard Wegemer

"Letter to William Gonell, 1518" by Thomas More

Young Thomas More and the Arts of Liberty by Gerard Wegemer

"A Dialog of Comfort against Tribulation" by Thomas More

"Erasmus on Thomas More" by Erasmus

Also on the Forum:

Elon Musk and Mother Teresa Schools by Nate Gadiano

Teaching the History of our "Strange New World" featuring Michael Moynihan and Austin Hatch

Learning for All Seasons: What We Owe to Thomas More by Dr. Matthew Mehan

The Arts of Liberty – Part I featuring Dr. Matthew Mehan

Featured Opportunities:

The Art of Teaching Boys Conference at The Heights School (May 6-8, 2026) – sold out

Teaching Essentials Workshop at The Heights School (June 22-26, 2026)

Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 2026) – link coming soon