Mather, Cotton
Mather, Cotton ( 1663 – 1728 )American Puritan clergyman. The son of Increase Mather , he became his father's clerical colleague in 1685 . Immensely learned, often pedantic, he published nearly 500 works on theology, history, political questions, science, medicine, social policy, and education. Although he did not support the Salem witch trials , his Memorable Providences relating to Witchcraft and Possessions ( 1689 ) helped to stir emotions. After being passed over as President of Harvard, he helped found Yale University ( 1701 ), advocated Puritan involvement in social welfare, and championed smallpox inoculation. He was the first American-born scholar elected to the...
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