Reverend Cotton Mather

Reverend Cotton Mather (1663–1728) was a prominent New England Puritan minister and author, influential in early American religious and social life. He played a key role in advancing Congregationalism and was involved in various intellectual and community activities. Mather is perhaps best known for his writings, including a significant work on smallpox inoculation, and for his controversial support of the Salem witch trials. His influence extended to education, as he helped establish Harvard College's early prominence. Despite some dubious actions, his legacy reflects the complex intersection of religion, science, and society in colonial America.