Who was Cotton Mather?

Cotton Mather (1663—1728) was a leading Congregational minister and significant figure in colonial America. Cotton Mather was known for his contributions to religion, science, and the infamous Salem witch trials. His father, Increase Mather, was pastor of the North (Second) Church of Boston and president of Harvard College. His grandfathers, Richard Mather and John Cotton, were both influential spiritual and intellectual leaders of the first generation of New England Puritans. Cotton Mather followed in their footsteps, becoming a prominent minister, prolific author, and scholarly force in early American history. He was also one of the founders of Yale College (now Yale University).

Cotton Mather was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 12, 1663. From a young age, he felt called to serve God and advance His kingdom. His early years were marked by rigorous religious and intellectual training. Cotton attended Boston Latin School and later Harvard College, graduating with a master’s degree at age fifteen. His education, one of the best available in New England at the time, included logic, ethics, metaphysics, mathematics, natural philosophy, rhetoric, and divinity. His religious studies were deeply rooted in Calvinist Puritan theology, shaping his views and career.

When he was sixteen, Cotton Mather began serving as a ministerial assistant to his father at Boston’s North Church. In May 1685, he was ordained at the North Church of Boston, where he served one of America’s largest congregations until his death.

Known for his extensive writing, Cotton Mather wrote more than 450 diverse works, including sermons, theological treatises, and historical accounts. His most famous titles include Magnalia Christi Americana (1702), a comprehensive history of New England and the early Puritan experience, and The Wonders of the Invisible World (1692), which at times defended the judges of the Salem witch trials.

Cotton Mather’s involvement in the Salem witch trials remains a controversial and often negative aspect of his legacy. Various personal reservations regarding the legal proceedings kept him from directly participating in the trials. However, his writings and sermons generally supported the trials and the existence of witchcraft and helped fuel the widespread fear, persecution, and hysteria.

Nevertheless, Cotton Mather was a pioneer in science, particularly in the field of medicine. He advocated for the inoculation against smallpox—a practice he learned from his West African slave, Onesimus. His support for inoculation faced opposition but ultimately proved successful, saving many lives during the smallpox epidemic of 1721.

Cotton Mather’s legacy is multifaceted, reflecting both his contributions to American Puritanism and his role in the darker episodes of colonial history. His writings provide valuable insights into the religious and social dynamics of the time, while his advocacy for scientific progress marks him as a forward-thinking individual. His scholarly contributions earned him a prestigious appointment to the Royal Society of London in 1713.

After being denied the chance to succeed his father as president of Harvard College, Mather helped to co-found Yale College, where he aimed to uphold the orthodox Congregational tradition.

Cotton Mather died on February 13, 1728. Many historians prefer to highlight the less desirable features of his personality while brushing aside his giftedness. Mather was considered the most celebrated New England writer of his time. Besides his intellectual giftedness, he possessed many humane qualities, giving his time and resources to the poor, setting up a school to educate and provide opportunities for formerly enslaved individuals, contributing to the construction of churches in impoverished communities, and assisting ministers facing hardships.

Cotton Mather’s life and works continue to be studied today, offering a window into the early American experience and the complex interplay of religion, science, and social tradition.