John Calvin, the 16th-century French theologian who spearheaded much of the Protestant Reformation, remains one of the most influential religious figures in history. Originally trained as a lawyer, Calvin later turned his brilliant logistical mind to the pulpit. Although his work as a pastor and reformer would carry him to several cities in Switzerland and France, much of his legacy is tied to Geneva.
Preaching modesty and simplicity in life, he lived by the standards that he set, where even his preaching chair was a simple wooden one. In keeping with this ethos, after his death in 1564, he was buried in an unassuming grave near the edge of the Cimetière des Rois, where his headstone was inscribed only with the letters ‘J C’.
Over the years this grave has been protected and renovated, with a stone added to more clearly indicate who the grave belongs to. It is still often visited by people who wish to pay their respects.
