Ralph Robinson's English translation of Thomas More's Utopia was published in London in 1551. The Latin original had appeared in 1516 and had already become a major work of humanist political imagination. The translation made its island society available to English readers in their own language.

Utopia influenced poets and prose writers by giving them a model for imaginary societies and indirect political criticism. Its vernacular translation helped English literature absorb dialogue, satire and speculative world-building.