Servetus

Servetus, MICHAEL (MIGUEL SERVETO) (1511-53), Spanish theologian and physician, was born at Tudela in Navarre. After studying at Saragossa and Toulouse, he travelled in Italy and in Germany, where he became acquainted with the reformers. From 1535 onwards he lived chiefly in France. The Socinian tendencies of his De Trinitatis Erroribus (1531) excited the animosity both of Catholic and Protestant divines, and his indiscreet efforts to maintain a friendly correspondence with Calvin resulted in his ruin; for it was probably through the latter's instigation that he was seized at Lyons in 1553. He escaped from prison, but, four months later, was captured whilst passing through Geneva, and, after a trial of two months, condemned and burnt at the stake.