Alexandre Rudolphe Vinet

1797-1847. French-speaking Swiss theologian, often called the “Schleiermacher of French Protestantism.” Born in Lausanne, he studied theology there, taught French at Basle for twenty years, then returned to Lausanne in 1837 as professor of practical theology. Ordained in 1819, he tended to deprecate traditional doctrines unless they had been confirmed by personal experience, and he put great stress on good conscience and right conduct. He advocated separation of church and state, wrote a book on the subject (ET 1843), and took a leading part in the founding in 1845 of the Free Church in the canton of Vaud. His other works included études sur Blaise Pascal (1848).