Thomas a Kempis — German Clergyman born on December 30, 1380, died on December 30, 1471

Thomas à Kempis, C.R.S.A. was a Dutch canon regular of the late medieval period and the author of The Imitation of Christ, one of the most popular and best known Christian books on devotion. His name means Thomas "of Kempen", his hometown, and in German he is known as Thomas von Kempen. He also is known by various spellings of his family name: Thomas Haemerken; Thomas Hammerlein; Thomas Hemerken and Thomas Hämerken... (wikipedia)