Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a Trappist monk, writer, and mystic whose works have had a lasting impact on contemporary spirituality. Born in France and educated in England and the United States, Merton entered the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky in 1941, where he remained until his untimely death. His writings, which include such classics as The Seven Storey Mountain and New Seeds of Contemplation, continue to inspire readers from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.