Protestantism began in the early 16th Century with the dawn of a Reformation Movement, which originally was simply a protest (hence the name of the religion) against corruption within the Catholic Church. The first two men to protest were Wycliffe and Erasmus, however, in 1517 Martin Luther nailed 95 theses on the door of Wittenberg Cathedral, detailing the negative aspects of the Catholic Church.
He then formed allegiances with other disillusioned Catholics, namely, John Calvin and John Knox. together they developed the concept of 'Reformation' and from this emerged the Protestant Church.
So it was not the work of one man, but rather a series of ideas which came together to form the Protestant faith. However, Luther, Calvin and Knox were undoubtedly the chief protagonists in developing the theological theories and they helped found the belief which rejected the authority of the pope and believed that faith alone was sufficient when combined with the authority of the Bible.
He then formed allegiances with other disillusioned Catholics, namely, John Calvin and John Knox. together they developed the concept of 'Reformation' and from this emerged the Protestant Church.
So it was not the work of one man, but rather a series of ideas which came together to form the Protestant faith. However, Luther, Calvin and Knox were undoubtedly the chief protagonists in developing the theological theories and they helped found the belief which rejected the authority of the pope and believed that faith alone was sufficient when combined with the authority of the Bible.