Date of Birth:
February 12, 1663
Birthplace:
Massachusetts Bay Colony
Family Background:
Cotton was the son of Increase Mather, clergyman and first president of Harvard College. Family life was likely stern in the Mather household, yet education seems to have been held in equal esteem with religious devotion.
Achievements:
Cotton Mather was an inspirational leader who wrote extensivley throughout his life, publishing over 400 books and other works. Along with his father, he was an influential figure in the Salem Witch trials, supporting them at first but perhaps regretting that support later, as witnesses recanted their testimonies.
Excerpt :
from Magnalia Christi Americana (Vol. 1) (1702)
"Also, it is well known that these wicked spectres did proceed so far as to steal several quantities of money from divers people, part of which individual money was sometimes dropped out of the air... Yet more: the miserable have complained bitterly of burning rags run into their forceably distended mouths... Once more: the miserable exclaimed extremely of branding irons heating at the fire on the hearth to mark them..."
Last Words:
"Is this what I feared when I prayed against a hard death? Oh, I can bear this! I can bear this!"
Died:
1728
