Who was Increase Mather?

Increase Mather (1639—1723) was a leading figure in the religious and political life of early colonial America. As a prominent Puritan minister, scholar, and the president of Harvard College, Mather played a critical role in shaping New England’s spiritual and societal landscape. He was involved in the government and took part in the Salem witch trials. His contributions to the community, academia, and religious discourse left a lasting impact.

Increase Mather was born on June 21, 1639, in Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony. His father, Richard Mather, was a respected Puritan minister who had emigrated from England. His mother, Katherine Holt Mather, was equally pious and supportive of her family’s religious endeavors. Increase was the youngest of six sons, all well-educated and deeply spiritual.

At age twelve, Increase entered Harvard College, where he demonstrated exceptional intellectual abilities. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1656. Seeking further education, he traveled to Ireland and attended Trinity College, Dublin, where he earned a master’s degree in 1658. His time in Europe exposed him to various theological perspectives and debates that would later influence his work as a minister and scholar.

Upon returning to Boston in 1661, Increase Mather began ministering at his father’s church in Dorchester. In 1664, he became pastor of the North Church (also known as Second Church) in Boston, where he served for nearly 60 years. Mather’s intense devotion to study showed in his biblically grounded and theologically sophisticated sermons. His delivery was passionate and straightforward, utilizing vivid imagery, and he drew a sizable congregation. Several of his sermons were later published.

As the leading voice for orthodox Calvinism, Mather was deeply involved in the religious controversies of his time. Initially, he opposed the Half-Way Covenant, a form of partial church membership adopted by some congregations in New England. Mather believed that this practice, which relaxed the requirements for baptism, diluted the purity of the church and undermined the commitment required of its members. Increase eventually capitulated when a church synod resolved the matter in favor of moderation.

Increase Mather’s commitment to education was evident in his long association with Harvard College. He began with a non-teaching appointment as a fellow in 1675. He made a name for himself in the science of astronomy when he published his Discourse Concerning Comets in 1683. Two years later, Mather was elected president of Harvard, a position he held until 1701. During his tenure, he worked to strengthen the college’s academic standards and religious foundations. Mather believed that education was essential for developing a pious and learned ministry.

As a scholar, Increase Mather was a prolific writer, publishing more than 130 books and pamphlets on theology, history, and science. He was also active in the political sphere, becoming a vocal critic of the British Crown’s attempts to control the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1686, King Charles II revoked the colony’s charter, which had allowed it to elect its own governor. In 1688, while James II was king, Mather traveled to London to petition the crown and advocate for the colony’s interests on behalf of the Congregational churches. His efforts eventually contributed to the restoration of the colony’s charter and the establishment of a more favorable political structure.

One of the most controversial events during Mather’s ministry was his role in the Salem witch trials, which began in 1692. While he initially supported the trials and never questioned the existence of witchcraft, he later became critical of the proceedings. In his Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits (1693), Mather argued against the use of “spectral evidence” (testimony based on dreams and visions) in convicting accused witches. His influence helped bring an end to the trials and led to a more cautious approach to future accusations of witchcraft.

Increase Mather was married twice. His first wife, Maria Cotton, was the daughter of John Cotton, another prominent Puritan minister. They had ten children, including Cotton Mather, a Congregational minister and scholar who would become one of colonial New England’s most influential figures. After Maria died in 1714, Increase married Ann Cotton, widow of his nephew John.

Increase Mather passed away on August 23, 1723, leaving a legacy of religious devotion, intellectual rigor, and public service that extended beyond his lifetime. His commitment to religious orthodoxy, education, and community service set a standard for future generations of ministers and scholars. When he died, many mourned him as “the patriarch . . . among us” (Troutman, R. L., “Mather, Increase,” Who’s Who in Christian History, ed. Douglas and Comfort, Tyndale House, 1992, p. 462).