d. 604

Christian missionary and churchman who journeyed to England across Europe from Italy to re-establish the English Christian Church in 597. Born in Rome, he became a Benedictine monk at an early age. Sent to England by Pope Gregory I, he was welcomed by Bertha, the Christian wife of the Saxon king Aethelberht I and began his evangelistic work at Canterbury. Augustine converted the king and thousands of others, extending his mission throughout southeastern England.