jean cauvin, also jean calvin (john calvin in english) (july 10, 1509 – may 27, 1564), was a french protestant theologian during the protestant reformation and was a central developer of the system of christian theology called calvinism or reformed theology. in geneva, he rejected papal authority, established a new scheme of civic and ecclesiastical governance. he is famous for his teachings and writings and infamous for his role in the execution of michael servetus.