author
Albert Réville
1826–1906
A French Protestant theologian and historian of religion, he brought a bold, questioning spirit to the study of faith. His work helped open modern discussions of comparative religion, biblical criticism, and liberal Protestant thought.
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About the author
Born in Dieppe in 1826, Albert Réville studied theology in Geneva and Strasbourg before serving as a pastor, including a long ministry with the Walloon Church in Rotterdam. Over time he became known less as a traditional churchman and more as a scholar with a strong interest in the historical study of religion.
After returning to France, he left parish ministry and built a distinguished academic career. He taught the history of religions at the Collège de France and wrote widely on biblical interpretation, comparative religion, and religious history, gaining a reputation as an important voice in liberal Protestant thought.
Réville is also remembered for the independence of his views. Contemporary sources describe him as a notably liberal theologian, and he was among the early intellectual supporters of Alfred Dreyfus during the Dreyfus Affair. He died in Paris in 1906.