Farel, Guillaume (1489–1565)

French religious reformer. A convert to Protestantism himself, his fervent preaching throughout France and Switzerland made many converts. Along with John Calvin he set up the Genevan church, 1535–38.

He was born near Gap in Dauphine, France and studied in Paris. In the Genevan church, Calvin was the organizer and Farel was the preacher. Both reformers were expelled from Geneva in a popular revolt. He wrote some polemical works on purgatory and The Lord's Supper (1555).