Kempis
THOMAS À (kem'pis), a German mystic; born in Kempen (whence his name, "Thomas from Kempen"), near Cologne, in 1380. His true name was Hamerken (Latin, Malleolus).
Sub-prior of the monastery of Mount St.
Agnes, near Zwolle, he was distinguished for piety and success as an instructor of youth. He was author of the "Imitation of Christ," ore of the most famous of books.
It is said that it has been translated into more languages than any other book except the Bible. He died in 1471.