Conrad Grebel (ca. 1498–1526) was born into a respectable Zurich family. He studied in Basel and in Vienna, where he was exposed to humanist ideas. Continuing his studies in Paris, he became involved in student brawls and returned to Zurich in 1519 without a university degree. There he experienced a conversion through Zwingli’s preaching. Grebel was an eager follower of Zwingli’s until a debate in October 1523, after which Zwingli deferred to the city council and retracted his demands. Grebel rebaptized Georg Blaurock on January 21, 1525. From there, he traveled through Switzerland, preaching and baptizing. Imprisoned in October 1525, he escaped six months later. He died of the plague that same year.
