Knox, John (c. 1505–1572)

Scottish Protestant reformer, founder of the Church of Scotland. He spent several years in exile for his beliefs, including a period in Geneva where he met John Calvin. He returned to Scotland in 1559 to promote Presbyterianism. His books include First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women (1558).

Originally a Roman Catholic priest, Knox is thought to have been converted by the reformer George Wishart. When Wishart was burned for heresy, Knox went into hiding, but later preached the reformed doctrines.

Captured by French troops in Scotland in 1547, he was imprisoned in France, sentenced to the galleys, and released only by the intercession of the British government in 1549. In England he assisted in compiling the Prayer Book, as a royal chaplain from 1551. On Mary's accession in 1553 he fled the country and in 1557 was, in his absence, condemned to be burned. In 1559 he returned to Scotland. He was tried for treason but acquitted in 1563. He wrote a History of the Reformation in Scotland (1586).