Merle d'Aubigné, Jean Henri (zhäN äNrē' merl dōbēnyā') [key], 1794–1872, Swiss ecclesiastical historian and Protestant preacher. After studying theology at Geneva and in Berlin, he was pastor of the French Protestant church in Hamburg for five years, then court preacher to King William at Brussels until the Revolution of 1830 separated Holland from Belgium. Returning to Geneva, he helped establish the new Evangelical Church there and became distinguished as professor of Church history in its theological seminary. His history of the Reformation (1835–53) was translated into most of the languages of Europe and was widely read.
