17 moments

1. Birth in Noyon

   1509-07-10 · Noyon, Picardy, France

   

   Calvin was born in Noyon, Picardy, then in the Kingdom of France.

2. Legal studies at Bourges

   1529-01-01 · Bourges, France

   Calvin entered the University of Bourges for legal study and remained there for approximately eighteen months. The source describes an approximately 18-month stay but does not provide its end date.

3. Return to Paris after his father's death

   1531-01-01 · Paris, France

   After his father's death, Calvin returned to Paris intending to pursue classical literature. Evidence is in French; the quoted sentence states that he returned to Paris in 1531.

4. Return to Paris amid reform controversy

   1533-10-01 · Paris, France

   Calvin returned to Paris shortly before Nicolas Cop's controversial inaugural address and the ensuing repression of suspected reformers.

5. Flight to Basel

   1535-01-01 · Basel, Switzerland

   

   After fleeing France amid persecution following the Affair of the Placards, Calvin joined Nicolas Cop in Basel.

6. Service at the court of Renée of France

   1536-01-01 · Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

   Soon after publishing the first edition of the Institutes, Calvin left Basel for Ferrara and briefly served Princess Renée of France as secretary. The source dates publication to March 1536 and says he left for Ferrara shortly afterward; it does not give a more precise arrival date.

7. Paris visit with Antoine Calvin

   1536-06-01 · Paris, France

   Calvin returned to Paris with his brother Antoine while family affairs following their father's death were being resolved.

8. First arrival and stay in Geneva

   1536-08-01 · Geneva, Republic of Geneva

   

   While traveling toward Strasbourg, Calvin was diverted to Geneva, where William Farel persuaded him to remain and assist the Reformation. The source states that military maneuvers forced the detour; his arrival is supported to month precision.

9. Disputation of Lausanne

   1536-10-01 · Lausanne Cathedral, Lausanne, Switzerland

   Calvin participated in the Lausanne disputation, a major public religious debate during the Bernese Reformation of Vaud. Coordinates identify Lausanne Cathedral, the venue of the disputation.

10. Pastoral office in first Genevan ministry

    1537-01-01 · Geneva, Republic of Geneva

    

    During his first Geneva stay, Calvin was selected as a pastor and began pastoral work including baptisms, weddings, and church services. The surrounding biography identifies this pastoral appointment as part of his first Geneva ministry; the precise date is not given.

11. Banishment from Geneva

    1538-01-01 · Geneva, Republic of Geneva

    

    After conflict with the Geneva council over the Easter Eucharist, Calvin and William Farel were banished from the city. Evidence is in French and dates the banishment to Easter 1538; the source does not supply a calendar day.

12. Minister to French refugees in Strasbourg

    1538-09-01 · Strasbourg, France

    

    Calvin took up a permanent-seeming position as minister to Strasbourg's French refugee congregation.

13. Colloquy at Worms

    1540-01-01 · Worms, Germany

    While in Worms for a religious colloquy, Calvin received the Genevan embassy seeking his return. The cited passage situates the event in 1540 but does not establish a more precise date of Calvin's presence at Worms.

14. Colloquy of Regensburg

    1541-01-01 · Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany

    Calvin attended the Colloquy of Regensburg, an imperial effort to negotiate religious unity between Catholic and Protestant representatives. The source directly states Calvin's presence at the 1541 Diet of Regensburg but does not date his individual arrival.

15. Return to Geneva with his family

    1541-09-13 · Geneva, Republic of Geneva

    

    Strasbourg released Calvin to Geneva; he returned with an official escort and wagon carrying his family.

16. Final sermon at St. Pierre

    1564-02-06 · St. Pierre Cathedral, Geneva, Switzerland

    

    Despite declining health, Calvin preached his final sermon at Geneva's principal church, St. Pierre Cathedral.

17. Death in Geneva

    1564-05-27 · Geneva, Switzerland

    

    Calvin died in Geneva aged fifty-four, following prolonged illness. Evidence is in French; the biographical opening gives his death date and Geneva as his place of death.