Chronology and Timeline
CHRONOLOGY & TIMELINE
1509 John Calvin is born in Noyon, France, on July 10.
1516 Concordat of Bologna is signed.
1517 Martin Luther’s “Ninety-Five Theses” are posted.
1520 Luther publishes his Reformation Treatises.
1521 Luther is excommunicated; Protestant Christianity begins.
1523 Calvin goes to college in Paris at the College
of Montaigu.
1528–1531 Calvin attends law school at Orléans, then Bourges, then returns to Orléans.
1521 1521
Protestant Christianity
Protestant Christianity
begins with Luther’s
begins with Luther’s
excommunication
excommunication
1509
1509
John Calvin born
John Calvin born
1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1510 1510 1510 1510 1510 1510 1520 1520 1520 1520 1520 1520 1530 1530 1530 1530 1530 1530
1517
1517
Martin Luther posts
Martin Luther posts
“Ninety-Five Theses”
“Ninety-Five Theses”
1528 1528 Calvin begins Calvin begins
law school law school
CHRONOLOGY & TIMELINE
1532 In April, Calvin self-publishes his commentary on
Seneca’s On Clemency.
1533 On November 1, Nicholas Cop gives his inaugural
address, which favors reform at the University of Paris (many think Calvin wrote it); those known to be connected with the ideas of reform are forced to flee Paris.
1534 In May, Calvin travels to his hometown, Noyon,
and resigns his benefice; in October, the Affair of the Placards takes place; there is a swift reaction against Protestants in France.
1535
1535
Calvin completes the first edition
Calvin completes the first edition 1564
1564 of Institutes, written in Latin of Institutes, written in Latin Calvin dies
Calvin dies on May 27 on May 27 1537
1537
Calvin appointed Reader
Calvin appointed Reader
of Holy Scripture and later
of Holy Scripture and later
a pastor in Geneva
a pastor in Geneva
1535 1535 1535 1535 1535 1535 1545 1545 1545 1545 1545 1545 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1565 1565 1565 1565 1565 1565
1559 1559 1539 1539
The fifth edition The fifth edition Expanded, reorganized Expanded, reorganized
of Latin version of Latin version edition of Institutes edition of Institutes
of Institutes is of Institutes is is published is published
published published 1545
1545 1550
1550 Another major revised edition Another major revised edition The fourth edition of Latin The fourth edition of Latin of Institutes is published of Institutes is published version of Institutes is published
version of Institutes is published
CHRONOLOGY
1535 In January, Calvin is in Basel, where he completes the first edition of his Institutes of the Christian Religion; the dedication page is dated September 10, 1535.
1536 In March, the first edition of the Institutes is published;
during the summer, Calvin is back in France for a few months; in August, Calvin finds himself in Geneva, where Farel persuades him to stay and help with reform.
1537 In January, Calvin is appointed Reader in Holy Scripture by the city council; he is later appointed pastor as well; Calvin and Farel present the city council with articles for the organization of the church.
1538 In April, after Easter, Calvin and Farel are forced to leave Geneva because of a conflict with the city council; in September, Calvin moves from Basel to Strasbourg to minister to French refugees, serving at the request of Martin Bucer.
1539 A new edition of the Institutes is published; the Reply to Sadolet is produced.
1540 Calvin publishes his first biblical commentary, on
Romans (many more commentaries on various books would follow through the coming years); during the summer, Calvin marries Idelette de Bure.
1541 A French translation of the Institutes is published; the Short Treatise on the Holy Supper of Our Lord Jesus Christ is published; in September, Calvin returns to Geneva; a draft of ecclesiastical ordinances is presented to the city council.
1545 Another major revision of the Institutes is published.
1549 Calvin’s wife, Idelette de Bure, dies; the Agreement of Zurich is signed.
1550 The fourth revision of the Latin Institutes is published.
CHRONOLOGY
1553 Servetus is executed.
1555 A pro-Calvin city council is elected.
1559 The final Latin edition of the Institutes is published; the Genevan Academy is opened; Theodore Beza comes to Geneva; Calvin finally becomes a citizen of Geneva.
1560 The final French edition of the Institutes is published.
1564 May 27 Calvin dies; Beza is named as his successor.