Increase Mather

Increase Mather
A 1688 portrait of Mather by John van der Spriett.
President of Harvard College (title varied)
In office
1685–1701
Preceded byJohn Rogers
Succeeded bySamuel Willard (acting)
Personal details
BornJune 21, 1639
Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British America
DiedAugust 23, 1723 (aged 84)
Boston, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British America
Spouse(s)Maria Cotton
Ann Cotton
ChildrenCotton Mather
EducationHarvard College (AB)
Trinity College Dublin (MA)
OccupationMinister and author
Signature

Increase Mather (/ˈmæðər/; June 21, 1639 Old Style[1] – August 23, 1723 Old Style) was a New England Puritan clergyman in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and president of Harvard College for twenty years (1681–1701).[2] He was influential in the administration of the colony during a time that coincided with the notorious Salem witch trials.

  1. ^ Mather 1961.
  2. ^ Mather 1961, p. 351, "From my first being chosen president of the College (1681) to my resigning my Relation to that society (1701) was full 20 years."