CALVIN, JOHN, a reformer and theologian; born in Noyon, Picardy, France, July 10, 1509. Soon after tak ing a degree, he went to Paris for the study of the humanities. In Paris he came under the influence of the teachers of the new theology, and before long had to flee from France, seek ing refuge at Base]. There he published his greatest work: "Institutes of the Christian Religion" (1536). The year following, he was chosen Professor of Divinity and one of the pastors of the church at Geneva. The strict discipline which he sought to introduce gave rise to ill feelings on the part of the citizens. He was banished from Geneva, and with drew to Strassburg, where he filled the same posts as in the former city. He was deputed to assist when diets were held by order of the Emperor Charles V., at Worms and at Ratisbon, for the purpose of composing, if possible, the religious differences which were rending the Roman Church. Bucer accompanied
him, and he conferred with Melanchthon and other leaders of the reformers. The people of Geneva then besought him to return. Complying with their request, he arrived there Sept. 13, 1541, and straightway established a form of ec clesiastical discipline, and a consistorial jurisdiction with power of inflicting all kinds of canonical punishments, which seemed, to many, a yoke quite as hard to endure as that imposed by Rome. Calvin's inflexible character bore down, however, all opposition, and so sternly and rigorously did he carry out his own rules that he condemned to the stake and caused to be burned his once intimate friend, Michael Servetus, for writing against the doctrine of the Trinity. Cal vin (whose real name was Chauvin, which, after the custom of that age, he Latinized into Calvinus) died in Geneva, May 27, 1564.