John Calvin; born Jehan Cauvin: 10 July 1509 - 27 May 1564) was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system of Christian theology later called Calvinism; aspects of which include the doctrines of predestination and of the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation of the human soul from death and eternal damnation.

Various Congregational; Reformed; and Presbyterian churches; which look to Calvin as the chief expositor of their beliefs; have spread throughout the world.