John Calvin, a central figure in the Protestant Reformation, died in Geneva in 1564 after two decades of influential work in shaping Reformed theology and church governance. His teachings emphasized predestination and the sovereignty of God, which became foundational to Reformed churches across Europe and the Atlantic world. Calvin's legacy continues to impact Christian thought and practice, particularly within Presbyterian and Reformed traditions, making him one of the most significant theologians in Western history.

The death of John Calvin in 1564 led to a profound reflection on his theological influence, particularly within the Puritan movement. Poets such as Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor drew on Calvinist themes of grace and divine sovereignty, shaping a distinctive poetic voice that emphasized moral introspection and spiritual struggle in English and American literature.