Jean de Tournes II

Jean de Tournes was a French printer, publisher and bookseller, and member of the long-lasting family printing business founded by his father Jean de Tournes (d. 1564).

After his father’s death, Jean took over the printing and publishing business as well as post of the imprimeur du Roi, printer to the French king. For much of his life France was in civil conflict known as the French Wars of Religion. The monarchs were Catholics and were trying to suppress Huguenots. De Tournes was a Huguenot protestant, and in 1567 his press was sacked and he was imprisoned for two months. In 1572 he was imprisoned again, but was able to escape the Saint Bartholemew's Day Massacre that spread from Paris to other French cities. De Tournes finally left France for Geneva in 1585, following the edict of Henri III (r. 1574 – 1589) that Protestants must abjure their religion or leave the country.

De Tournes started another printing firm in Geneva about 1590. He prospered and became influential citizen as in 1604 he was member of the Conseil des Deux Cents, the town’s governing body. After his death in 1615, his business was succeeded by his son Jean de Tournes.